SAUNDERSFOOT is preparing to welcome thousands of swimmers and spectators for its annual New Year’s Day Swim, with this year’s event adding a lively new twist ahead of the traditional dash into the sea.

To mark the build-up to the swim’s fortieth anniversary in 2026, organisers have confirmed that the warm-up will be led by the Pembrokeshire Boot Scooters, who will kick off proceedings with a line dance on the beach.

Participants will be encouraged to join in the “House of Bamboo” routine, with the event’s mascot, Charlie Shivers, even recording a step-by-step guide in advance to help swimmers practise before the big day.

The Saundersfoot New Year’s Day Swim is one of Pembrokeshire’s best-known festive traditions and regularly attracts more than 2,500 participants, with many more lining the seafront to watch. Despite its name, the event is described by organisers as a “dash and splash,” requiring swimmers simply to enter the water and dunk in before returning safely to shore.

The swim is open to all ages, although children under sixteen must be supervised by an adult at all times. Participants aged eighty and over are encouraged to go no further than knee depth.

Run on a not-for-profit basis, the event raises money for nominated charities and community groups. Swimmers are invited to fundraise for causes of their choosing, with sponsorship totals boosted through bucket collections and commercial backing from local businesses.

Entry to the swim must be completed online, either in advance or on the day, and swimmers must collect a wristband before taking part. Wristbands can be collected from Salt on the Strand in Saundersfoot or from the pickup point at the beach slipway. Only those wearing wristbands will receive a commemorative medal.

Organisers are advising swimmers to allow plenty of time for wristband collection on the morning of the event, as the village is expected to be extremely busy.

Although winter weather can be unpredictable, the swim has never been cancelled in its history. Final safety decisions will be taken by the Water Safety Team, who will monitor sea and weather conditions closely in the lead-up to New Year’s Day.

With limited parking available in Saundersfoot, visitors are being encouraged to use public transport or the Park & Ride service operating from Kilgetty Community Centre between 10:00am and 2:00pm on January 1.

Charlie Shivers, the swim’s mascot, was named by pupils at Saundersfoot Primary School and honours local hero Charlie Cox, who famously led the swim well into his eighties.

Organisers have reminded attendees that dogs should not be brought onto the beach due to the size, noise and pyrotechnics used to signal the start of the swim.

Further information, including ticket registration, fundraising details and safety advice, is available through the Saundersfoot New Year’s Day Swim website and social media pages.

PARENTS and residents in Pembroke Dock have raised serious concerns after a small clear plastic bag, believed to be linked to drug use, was found in the children’s play area at Memorial Park.

The discovery has sparked anger and alarm among families who regularly use the park, with many questioning how suspected drug-related litter could end up in a space intended for children.

The Herald understands that bags of this size and type are commonly used by local dealers to sell crack cocaine, although the substance found in this instance has not been formally identified.

Concerns intensified after local resident Stephen Hughes said he had seen similar small bags discarded in Memorial Park near the skate area.

Residents say the find highlights wider worries about public safety, with several claiming they have encountered similar items elsewhere in Pembroke Dock. Parents have called for increased patrols, quicker clean-ups and stronger action to protect children using public parks.

Dyfed-Powys Police and Pembrokeshire County Council have been contacted for comment.

⚠️ Members of the public are urged not to touch suspected drug-related items and to report them immediately to police or the local authority.

A PETITION call for a public commitment to save Pembrokeshire’s River Cleddau will be heard by full council next year.

The e-petition, started by James Harrison-Allen, says: “We call on Pembrokeshire County Council to create and enact a Clean Rivers Policy to restore the Cleddau to good health after decades of neglect and degradation.

“The Cleddau flows through the heart of Pembrokeshire, including our county town, and is the foundation for Pembrokeshire’s prosperity. The river is failing, and we need to act now to save it from irreversible decline.

“What’s the problem? The Cleddau rivers and estuary are the worst (and worsening) polluted SAC (Special Area of Conservation) designated rivers in Wales; worse even than the Wye and the Usk (NRW Water Assessment Report 2024), and considerably worse than the neighbouring Towy and Teifi.

“Damaging impacts on Pembrokeshire’s economy, public health and the natural environment. Ineffective regulation; monitoring, responding, policing, enforcement and prosecutions. What should PCC be doing to address this? Make a formal, public commitment to cleaning up the Cleddau. Make the health of the Cleddau central.”

Earlier this year, Henry Tufnell, MP for Mid and South Pembrokeshire, called for “urgent” action to tackle the poor state of the River Cleddau when he chaired a discussion bringing together key stakeholders, environmental experts, and community voices to address the issues surrounding water quality and pollution.

The panel event, organised by local river action group The Cleddau Project, covered topics including pollution sources, enforcement failures, and potential solutions to improve the river’s health.

The panel included representatives from Afonydd Cymru, Welsh Water, Natural Resources Wales (NRW), Cardiff University, and First Milk.

More than 150 people gathered at Haverfordwest Rugby Club just days after NRW declared the Cleddau the worst performing of the protected rivers in Wales.

Speaking after the event, Mr Tufnell, said: “The Cleddau is a vital natural resource, and last night’s discussion highlighted the urgent need for action.

“The insight shared by our expert panel and members of the community reinforced the importance of tackling pollution at its source and ensuring our regulatory bodies are held accountable.

“I am committed to continuing this fight for cleaner water and a healthier environment for future generations.”

The petition runs up to February 1, and had attracted 1,678 signatures as of December 16.

If a petition gets 500 signatures, the creator will have an opportunity to debate it at a future full council meeting; more than 100 will trigger a debate at a council overview and scrutiny committee.