South West Wales Connected Community Rail Partnership are delighted to be collaborating with Stena Line to host a heritage event celebrating the history of Fishguard Harbour railway and the port.
The event, which has been supported by Fishguard community run heritage centre ‘Ein Hanes – Our History’, is taking place on the afternoon of Saturday 18 October at the Stena Line ferry terminal. The NPTT (North Pembrokeshire Trade & Tourism) are very involved and supportive of this event.
This special event will bring together local voices, stories and history to highlight the importance of the railway and port to the region. Visitors will be able to travel to the terminal by train from Fishguard & Goodwick and beyond, making the journey part of the experience. With parking at the ferry terminal limited, attendees are encouraged to arrive by train, on foot, by bike or through car sharing.
Philip Merchant, Project Officer at SWWC CRP said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the foundational contributions of the railway visionaries coming to West Wales and the subsequent building of the significant port which opened up a gateway to Ireland and America!”
A spokesperson for Stena Line said: “Stena Line is proud to support the railway heritage event at Fishguard Harbour by providing our facilities for this important celebration of history and transport. We believe in preserving our shared heritage and connecting communities, and we look forward to welcoming visitors as they explore the rich legacy of rail travel at the harbour.”
This event is part of the nationwide Railway 200 celebrations, marking 200 years of the modern railway. It is a year-long, partnership-led campaign aimed at celebrating the history of railways while inspiring a new generation to consider careers in the rail industry. The campaign encourages communities, rail networks and other groups to take part in the festivities and recognise the transformative power of rail travel over the past two centuries.
The day will feature a lively programme of talks, with contributions from local authors, historians and commentators of all ages. Short five-minute story slots will give residents the chance to share their own memories and experiences, ensuring the event is both entertaining and insightful.
Alongside the talks, there will be:
- A brand-new exhibition exploring the history of the railway and port
- Model railway layouts showcasing West Wales modelling
- Live ‘in situ’ theatre performances, with actors in early 1900s costume bringing history to life
- Music from local musicians
- Prizes for the best visitor costumes
The event is free to attend, thanks to funding from Transport for Wales and Great Western Railway, and will also include stalls featuring local products, such as history books, vintage sweets, and apothecary items from nearby shops. Refreshments including cakes, scones and jam will be served in a volunteer-run café, operating on a donation basis, with proceeds supporting charitable outreach.
Dr Louise Moon, TfW’s Railway 200 Programme Lead said: “This year has seen events and activities take place across Wales and borders, and we are delighted to have one focusing on the important story of Fishguard Harbour. It is great to see railway heritage bringing communities together, and for more stories about our railway past to get the recognition that they deserve.”
If you would like further information or have a story to tell or historical photographs or memorabilia, please e-mail philip.merchant@southwestwales.co