Pembrokeshire Council's 'Instagrammable bridge' sparks Christmas song for charity

Pembrokeshire’s contentious new ‘Instagram-friendly’ bridge in Haverfordwest has been namechecked in a new Christmas rock song aimed at a “gentle dig” at the council while raising funds for charity. On the reason for releasing the song about the bridge which cost millions, singer Ray said “Because it just p****d me off, simple as that!”
While setting out to write, and perform, a Christmas song may not be something everyone strives to undertake, for Ray Roberts and fellow performers Paul Smith, Ian Pearce, and Ray’s own son Nathan, all local to Pembroke Dock, the song ‘Where has the Christmas spirit gone’ came about after a chat about seasonal hits.
“We were chatting about Christmas number ones; ‘sausage rolls’ got to number one a few years ago and I thought ‘hold my beer’.
“It’s also quite a catchy song and locally everyone is talking about it; I went to the post office in Pennar and people were saying ‘I like your song’.”
The song opens with the lyrics: “Where has the Christmas Spirit Gone No money for heating this Christmas time, Old folks shivering as the frost starts to climb, Pensioners’ homes like a fridge in the night, Wrapped in blankets, hoping they’ll see the light.
“Council tax spent on a bridge we didn’t need, Instagrammable views, but we have mouths to feed, Where’s the funding for those who need it most? County Councillors have abandoned their post.”
Ray has coughed up some £1,500 for the production, and accompanying video, which features plenty of places in Pembrokeshire, including Haverfordwest’s castle and the new bridge, Pembroke nightclub OUT, Central Motors, Dales Music Store Tenby, Tenby’s beach and castle, Wisebuys Pembroke, and Pembroke Castle, as well as an appearance by Ray’s wife’s grandma, aged 101, who lives in her own flat in Tenby.