Charity

Fishguard RNLI celebrates lifeboat’s 30 years of service

Published

2 years ago

September 1, 2024

AS the RNLI celebrates 200 years of lifesaving service Fishguard RNLI celebrates its own milestone of 30 years of Blue Peter VII saving lives on the North Pembrokeshire coast.

Monday 2 September 2024 marks the 30^th anniversary of the all weather Trent class lifeboat Blue Peter VII being placed on service at RNLI Fishguard.

Chosen as the replacement for the station’s all weather Arun class lifeboat Marie Winstone, the smaller Blue Peter VII was the charity’s most modern purpose-built class of lifeboat within the fleet at the time, and other than a few periods away for essential maintenance and refit has spent the majority of 30 years saving lives and helping those in distress at sea off the coast of North Pembrokeshire.

In 1993 the BBC children’s television programme Blue Peter ran the ‘Pieces of Eight’ appeal. Children and families across the country gathered all sorts of items which could be sold to raise funds to replace the charity’s existing inshore lifeboats Blue Peter I to VI. Not only did they raise enough money to cover these lifeboats into the 21^st century, they also had enough left over to fund the first, and to date only all weather lifeboat to carry the Blue Peter name, and the iconic ship emblem.

The Trent class all weather lifeboats were introduced into the charity’s lifesaving fleet at a cost of approximately £1 million each and were named after the River Trent in England. They are primarily fitted with two 860hp MAN diesel engines which produce a top speed of 25 knots, and carry sufficient fuel to cover a range of 250 nautical miles.

At 14 metres long, all Trent class lifeboats are identifiable by the operational number beginning with 14 on the hull. The second part of this number indicates the order in which they were built.

Blue Peter VII bears the operational number 14-03, indicating that it was the third of the class to be built, however it was placed on station before 14-02 in Ramsgate, making it the longest serving Trent in the fleet with 14-01 having been retired in 2019.

With over 30 years of service, Fishguard’s lifeboat is older than some of today’s crew. Indeed over the years, those crewing Blue Peter VII have changed as crew members come and go. However, some such as volunteer brothers coxswain Chris Bean and crew member Warren Bean (also a current ILB helm) and former full time station mechanic Stephen Phillips were serving crew on its arrival and are still volunteer crew today.

Former station mechanic and current volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager Chris Williams said: ‘When the Blue Peter VII lifeboat came to Fishguard she was very much at the cutting edge of SAR technology. With one of the first computerised navigation systems and a top speed of 25kts (or 28.5 mph), she was one of the most up to date and capable all weather lifeboats in the world. Thirty years on, the rest of the RNLI fleet has caught up, but she is still a very capable, and above all, safe, boat, and, approaching a 1,000 “shouts” later, still doing the job she was designed to do.

Full time station coxswain Gemma Gill, said: ‘It’s an enormous honour to be trusted to be in command of an RNLI search and rescue asset, keeping the boat and crew safe, and hopefully saving the life of a casualty too.

For me it’s an additional honour to be in command of a Blue Peter craft. I’m from the East Lothian town of North Berwick, and as a child I was an avid watcher of Blue Peter, taking part in all the appeals and being proud of seeing my efforts playing a tiny part in the purchase of lifeboats.

In 1994 I watched the naming ceremony of Blue Peter III (D-452) and decided that one day I would be a lifeboat crew member too! That journey started in June 2001 with my initial induction trip and training aboard that very D class and continued with many years of volunteering in Aberystwyth aboard the 75, then 85 and Arancia, the Wales and West flood team, (where I finally got a Blue Peter badge!), and then on into employment as a lifeboat trainer in the college in Poole. I hope to safely see out the rest of Blue Peter VII service life here in Fishguard, and I hope that any girls or boys who hear about lifeboating through Blue Peter will also be inspired to volunteer once they are old enough.’

Charity

Dog owners urged to keep pets indoors as extreme heat hits Wales

Published

5 hours ago

June 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

RSPCA warns missing a walk is safer than risking heatstroke

DOG owners are being urged to keep their pets indoors and avoid normal walking routines as extreme heat affects Wales and England.

The RSPCA has called for “lockdown-style caution” for dogs over the next 24 to 48 hours, warning that walks, ball games and energetic exercise could put pets at serious risk.

The charity says owners should change routines immediately, keeping dogs cool, calm and comfortable indoors until temperatures ease.

Lauren Bennett, dog welfare expert at the RSPCA and a former veterinary nurse, said: “During a red weather warning, dog owners should think of it like a temporary lockdown for their pets.

“For the next 24 to 48 hours, routines need to immediately change. This isn’t the time for walks, chasing the ball or playing fetch, or exposing pooches to energetic exercise.

“It’s far better for dogs to miss a few walks completely than to suffer the potentially fatal consequences of overheating, or heatstroke.”

The warning comes as the peak of the current heatwave is forecast for today and tomorrow, with temperatures potentially reaching 39C in some areas.

The RSPCA says dogs should only be taken outside briefly for toilet breaks, ideally to the nearest grassy area, before being brought straight back indoors.

Owners are advised to provide fresh water in several places, close curtains in sunny rooms, use fans safely, and allow dogs to rest on cooler floors, cooling mats or damp towels.

Mental stimulation, such as puzzle feeders, snuffle mats and gentle indoor training games, can be used instead of exercise.

Ms Bennett added: “These temperatures won’t last forever, but the decisions owners make over the next couple of days could have a lasting impact on their pets.

“For now, the message is simple: pause normal routines, prioritise keeping pets cool and comfortable, and wait until temperatures ease before returning to business as usual.”

The charity is also reminding owners to watch for signs of heatstroke, which can include heavy panting, drooling, confusion, weakness, vomiting, collapse or seizures.

The RSPCA said vets dealt with 355 suspected heatstroke cases in 2025, with two thirds recorded during the summer months.

Anyone concerned about a dog showing signs of heatstroke should move the animal to a cool area, offer small amounts of water, begin cooling with cool—not ice-cold—water, and contact a vet immediately.

Charity

Sea shanties and street food bring crowds to Cardigan RNLI festival

Published

2 days ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SUNSHINE, sea shanties and street food helped draw hundreds of visitors to Cardigan RNLI Lifeboat Station on Saturday (Jun 20).

The station’s Sea Shanty and Street Food Festival brought together families, supporters and visitors from across the region for a day of maritime music, food and community spirit.

Traditional sea shanty groups performed throughout the event, with songs echoing around the lifeboat station, while street food vendors served a range of refreshments.

The event also gave visitors the chance to learn more about the lifesaving work carried out by the RNLI and its volunteer crews.

Cardigan RNLI thanked the performers, food vendors, volunteers, sponsors and supporters who helped make the day a success.

Bruce Harris, Launch Authority and event organiser, said: “It was wonderful to see so many people come together to support the station, enjoy the entertainment, and celebrate our maritime heritage.

“The atmosphere throughout the day was fantastic, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who attended, performed, volunteered, and contributed to such a memorable event.”

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts.

The charity operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands.

Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved more than 146,700 lives.

Charity

Mum takes on half marathon to give back to NHS

Published

2 days ago

June 22, 2026

Cerys Lafferty

KATE DAVIES is taking on the Wales Half Marathon to say thank you to the NHS services that supported her during a difficult time.

Kate, a mother of one who works in operational workforce at Withybush Hospital, is heading to Tenby on June 28 to take on the Wales Half Marathon at Long Course Weekend Wales to raise funds for Cilgerran Ward at Glangwili Hospital.

Having been in good health for much of her life, Kate has been fortunate to not need many Hywel Dda University Health Board services until recent years.

Kate said: “The journey to becoming a parent wasn’t straightforward, and I experienced several difficult and emotional setbacks along the way. Throughout this time, I was supported with great care, kindness and compassion by various services across the health board, for which I will always be grateful.

“In December 2023, under the care of Glangwili consultants, I gave birth to a healthy baby girl. I’m incredibly grateful and fortunate that I have a fantastic, healthy and happy two-year-old daughter.

“To celebrate, I have signed up to take part in the Long Course Wales Half Marathon! I would love to raise money to give back to the health board that was there when I needed it.

“I can think of nothing better than reaching the finish line in good health, with my daughter waiting for me, knowing I have raised funds and given back to say thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who has donated.”

Tara Nickerson, Fundraising Manager, said: “What a heartfelt story. A huge thanks to Kate for taking on the Wales Half Marathon to support a service so close to her heart. We look forward to cheering her on!

“The generous charitable donations we receive don’t replace NHS funding. Instead, they are used to provide items and activities above and beyond core NHS expenditure, such as more welcoming surroundings for patients, families and staff, and research into, and the development of, treatments.”

You can donate to Kate’s fundraiser here: https://hyweldda.enthuse.com/pf/kate-davies