Almost 400 children from eight local primary schools have taken part in practical coastal safety sessions in Dale

ALMOST 400 Pembrokeshire pupils have been taught essential skills that could help save their lives during a programme delivered by Windswept CIC.

Year 5 and Year 6 children from eight primary schools attended sessions in Dale throughout June and July, learning how to stay safe in and around the sea.

The programme, funded by the Port of Milford Haven, taught pupils how to recognise beach warning flags, understand the risks of cold-water shock and use the RNLI’s Float to Live technique.

Children were also shown how to call for help during an emergency and given practical experience of entering and moving through open water safely.

Schools taking part included Mary Immaculate Catholic Primary School, Coastlands Community Primary School, St Francis Catholic Primary School, Milford Haven Community Primary School, Broad Haven Community Primary School, Waldo Williams Primary School, Gelliswick Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled School and Cleddau Reach Voluntary Controlled School.

Emily Jones, Stakeholder Engagement Executive at the Port of Milford Haven, said: “These sessions delivered by the Windswept team provide invaluable knowledge and practical skills for young people who live, learn and spend time around our coastline.

“As a Port, we are committed to supporting initiatives that help educate young people about water safety and build their confidence in coastal environments.

“We are delighted that so many schools have engaged with this important programme.”

The sessions formed part of Swim Safe, an accredited educational programme developed by the RNLI and Swim Wales for schools and community groups.

It gives participants practical experience of outdoor water environments while teaching them how to recognise risks and respond during an emergency.

Sarah West, director of Windswept CIC, said: “We believe every child should have the opportunity to enjoy the water safely and with confidence.

“Living in Pembrokeshire, young people grow up surrounded by the coast, so understanding the risks and knowing how to respond in an emergency are skills that could one day save their lives.

“Through Swim Safe, we aim to give children practical experience in the water while building confidence, awareness and respect for the marine environment.

“We’re incredibly grateful to the Port of Milford Haven for supporting this programme and helping us reach hundreds of local children with these vital skills.”

The Port of Milford Haven said it invested almost £500,000 in community initiatives during 2025 as part of its commitment to supporting local people and strengthening communities.

Photo caption:

Pembrokeshire primary school pupils took part in water safety sessions delivered by Windswept CIC in Dale.

After being alerted by The Herald, Evri traced the packages to a seller using a false returns address and collected items delivered by several carriers

A TIKTOK seller has been removed from the platform after a Haverfordwest woman’s home was used as a false returns address, leaving her surrounded by unwanted parcels and struggling to move safely around her property.

Perryn Butler, of Goat Street, contacted The Pembrokeshire Herald after large boxes and packages began arriving for a person she did not know.

The deliveries included bulky electrical goods, with parcels stacking up inside the house because there were too many to leave safely in the porch.

Photographs supplied to The Herald showed packages transported by several delivery companies, including Evri, DPD and Royal Mail. Some labels identified TikTok Shop as the retailer involved.

Mrs Butler said she had no connection to the intended recipient and feared her address had been caught up in a scam.

She told The Herald: “There were far too many to put in the porch. It would be wonderful if somebody could stop them coming and get them picked up.”

The Herald contacted Evri after seeing its labels on several of the packages.

Following an investigation by the company’s Loss Prevention team, Evri established that the parcels originated from sales made through TikTok Shop.

Evri said it worked with TikTok Shop to identify the seller responsible. The seller was subsequently deactivated for using a false returns address, alongside what the platform described as a number of other concerns.

The delivery company stressed that the packages had been transported by multiple carriers and that Evri had not created or supplied the false address.

However, Evri arranged for every parcel at the property to be collected, including those delivered by DPD and Royal Mail.

The company said the items were electrical goods and would now probably have to be disposed of at Evri’s expense.

An Evri spokesperson said: “We have spoken with Mrs Butler and understand the inconvenience and concern this situation has caused.

“Following a swift investigation, we collected all of the parcels, including those delivered by other carriers, and worked closely with TikTok Shop to identify the seller responsible.

“The seller has since been removed from the platform for using a false returns address.

“While Evri was not responsible for the misuse of the address, we acted quickly to support the resident and resolve the matter.”

Mrs Butler had also contacted the police after becoming concerned about the repeated deliveries.

The Herald has approached TikTok Shop for an explanation of how the seller was able to register a private residential property as a returns address without the occupant’s knowledge.

We have also asked what checks are carried out on seller addresses, how many orders were linked to Mrs Butler’s home, and whether the matter has been referred to police, Trading Standards or another authority.

TikTok Shop has been asked to confirm that the address has now been removed from its systems and what action is being taken to prevent other residents being affected.

This story will be updated when TikTok Shop responds.

New sensory and outdoor learning space at Canolfan Elfed will support young people with severe and multiple learning needs

CHILDREN with additional learning needs from across West Wales are benefiting from a new inclusive playground following a major fundraising effort led by local Rotary clubs.

The bespoke playground at Canolfan Elfed Inclusion Centre, part of Queen Elizabeth High School in Carmarthen, was officially opened in July after two years of planning, fundraising and partnership working.

Designed to provide a safe, accessible and stimulating outdoor environment, the facility will support pupils with a wide range of additional learning needs, physical disabilities and autism.

The project marks a significant milestone for Rotary District 1150, covering Southern Wales, as it is the first time the district has secured a Rotary Foundation Global Grant for a project within its own area.

The Global Grant, including District Designated Fund contributions, totalled $58,400. The overall cost of the project was just over $100,000, with the remaining funding raised through donations from Rotary clubs, school fundraising and community support.

The project was delivered through a partnership involving Carmarthen Tywi Rotary Club, Narberth and Whitland Rotary Club, Rotary District 1150 and the YMLAEN charity.

The Rotary Club of Fontenay-le-Comte, in the Vendée region of western France, acted as the international partner required for the Global Grant application.

The original vision came from Queen Elizabeth High School business manager and YMLAEN founder Nigel Cooke, together with Canolfan Elfed inclusion manager Lisa Thomas.

They wanted to create an outdoor learning, play and sensory environment tailored to the needs of pupils attending the centre.

The idea gathered momentum after the school hosted a Rotary Youth Speaks competition, leading to a partnership with local Rotary clubs and District 1150.

Further funding was generated through local business sponsorship, a London Marathon challenge and an Olympic-themed spinathon involving pupils.

Canolfan Elfed supports young people aged between 11 and 19 from Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion who have severe and multiple learning needs.

The centre was originally designed for 67 pupils, but now supports around 95 learners each day.

Although the centre was well equipped internally, pupils previously had no designated outdoor play area or safe external learning environment.

The new playground has been designed around their specific needs, with accessible equipment intended to support physical development, sensory regulation, communication and independent play.

It is also expected to help pupils develop balance, coordination, confidence, social skills and emotional wellbeing.

Phillip Williams, immediate past president of Carmarthen Tywi Rotary Club, said: “It is so rewarding to see the hard work of the Rotarians involved in the grant application coming to fruition in the form of this exciting sensory playground.

“It is going to play a vital part in the development of children with additional learning needs, both now and in the future.

“It demonstrates how the Rotary family, at local and international level, can make things happen for the benefit of the community.”

Nigel Cooke said: “We extend our sincere thanks to Rotary for its outstanding support in helping us secure the funding for our new sensory play yard at Canolfan Elfed.

“Their unwavering commitment has been instrumental in turning our vision into a reality.

“Without the funding Rotary has provided, this project simply would not have been possible. It will leave a lasting legacy for our pupils for many years to come.”

The playground is expected to provide pupils with more opportunities for cooperative play, communication and teamwork, while encouraging movement and the development of fine and gross motor skills.

Staff also hope regular access to the facility will help reduce frustration, withdrawal and challenging behaviour, while improving emotional regulation, peer relationships and participation in group activities.

Pupils’ progress will be monitored throughout the school year, allowing activities and equipment to be adapted as their needs develop.

The playground was officially opened by Carmarthen Town Mayor Cllr Russell Sparks, who cut the ribbon during a ceremony attended by pupils, school staff, Rotarians, donors and sponsors.

Andy Edwards, of Carmarthen Tywi Rotary Club, also gave a presentation explaining the process of securing the landmark grant.