THE WALES AIR AMBULANCE charity shop in Tenby is calling for new volunteers to join its friendly and hardworking team ahead of a busy summer season.

Karen Ward, Assistant General Manager at the Upper Frog Street store, says volunteering has been one of the most rewarding decisions she’s made. Karen, 66, lives in Hundleton and makes the thirty-minute drive to Tenby five days a week.

“I haven’t looked back since joining the team two years ago,” she said. “Our shop is very popular – there’s always someone coming through the door!”

Originally from the Midlands, Karen previously worked in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter before moving to West Wales. She spent 22 years working at Kiln Park and returned to retail in 2023.

The grandmother of four added: “The shop is so much fun. We create a great atmosphere for our volunteers – we want everyone to enjoy being here. We love to celebrate birthdays with cake, silly hats, music and a good sing-song. We definitely go over the top!”

Karen says no two days are the same, and there’s always plenty to do. “There’s never a dull moment,” she said. “Some days you’re sorting through donations, other days you’re pricing stock or serving customers. Our manager, Kirsty Gardiner, and I do the back-of-house work, while our wonderful volunteers handle the shop floor.”

From tidying rails and cleaning to dressing windows and helping customers, there’s a job for everyone. “We want the shop to look great and be welcoming – it’s about creating a space people want to come back to,” said Karen.

The shop attracts a wide mix of customers. “We have regulars who visit every day and always find something to buy,” she said. “Holidaymakers pop in too – the kids head for the toys and books, mum browses the clothes, and dad makes a beeline for the furniture.”

The shop also plays an important social role. “Some of our older visitors come in just for a chat,” Karen added. “Sometimes we’re the only people they’ll talk to all day. That ten-minute conversation means the world.”

Window displays are a point of pride for the team. “People often poke their heads in and say, ‘Is this really a charity shop?’” Karen laughed. “Kirsty and I do the windows – we love getting creative with new themes. The volunteers always take the credit when people compliment the display, which is lovely – everyone feels proud.”

Upcoming displays include a colourful spring theme, followed by Easter decorations and then a ‘Glastonbury-style’ summer festival window.

The Wales Air Ambulance Charity relies on public donations of pre-loved items such as clothes, furniture, games, ornaments and music.

Karen said: “We’re a busy shop with a brilliant team, but we really do need more volunteers as we head into summer. There’s no age limit, and no experience is needed – we’ll train you. It’s a great way to gain confidence and new skills, and it looks fantastic on your CV.”

To find out more about volunteering, donating, or shopping at Wales Air Ambulance stores, visit: walesairambulance.com/shops

CARDIGAN will be the place to be on Saturday, June 15, as entries continue to flood in for this year’s Welsh National Tractor Road Run (WNTRR).

The popular event is being organised by the North Pembrokeshire Tractor Enthusiasts – a group of like-minded friends led by Dai Rees of Cilgerran.

The Run will begin at Awenfryn, Glanrhyd – the farm of Keith and Kevin Evans – and take in stunning views across Cardigan Bay before heading inland towards Cwm Gwaun and the Preseli Mountains. The route will then return to Awenfryn.

This year’s event will raise money for three charities: the Wales Air Ambulance, Crymych First Responders, and Cardigan First Responders.

Entry is £20 until the closing date of Monday, May 20. Early entries will be listed in the official programme and guaranteed a commemorative souvenir. Entries will also be accepted on the day for £25, but late entrants will not be guaranteed a souvenir – a decision made by organisers to reduce disruption caused by last-minute arrivals.

Entry forms can be obtained from members of the local organising team – Dai Rees, Alun Owens, Keith Evans, Kevin Evans, Sion Morgan, and Peter Lewis – at various tractor events. Alternatively, forms can be requested by email from the WNTRR secretary at anne.trials@btinternet.com, or downloaded from the WNTRR Facebook page.

Online entry is also available:

• English entry form
• Welsh entry form

Anyone interested in sponsoring the event or advertising in the souvenir programme should contact the WNTRR secretary or Sion Morgan via sion@pantygarn.co.uk.

Spectators are welcome at the starting point and along the route. More details will be released closer to the date.

THE RNLI Lifeguards are set to return to beaches this weekend ahead of the Easter Holidays. The RNLI are advising that anyone visiting the coast, should choose a lifeguarded beach.

Last year (2024) RNLI lifeguards in West Wales of responded to 654 incidents, aided 1,055 people, made 96,388 preventative actions and saved five lives.

This Saturday 12 April, RNLI lifeguards are returning to their posts to keep visitors safe at beaches in Pembrokeshire.

The RNLI will be patrolling at Whitesands Beach every day from 10am-6pm from 12-27 April. Lifeguards will also be patrolling at Tenby South Beach from 10am-6pm from 18-21 April.

From Monday 1 April, the service will continue on weekends only at Whitesands until 25 May when the beach goes live full time. Tenby South will also be patrolled at weekends only until 25 May.

The RNLI encourages beachgoers to swim between the red and yellow flags. Lifeguards position the flags in the safest area of the beach and patrol this area at all times.

Anyone intending on intend on surfing or participating in hard craft activity, should stay between the black and white flags.

At this time of year, when the sea is at its coldest, cold water shock is a possibility. Water temperature below 15 degrees can affect breathing and movement, which often causes panic and can lead to drowning.

Anyone planning a dip is advised to wear a wetsuit, to minimise the risk of cold water shock and the carrying of a floatation device is recommended.

Stuart Penfold Lead Lifeguard Supervisor for North Pembrokeshire said: ‘We’re very much looking forward to having our lifeguards back on the beach. Our team have recently gone through intensive training in preparation for the Easter Holidays.

‘Should people plan on going in the sea during the holidays, we encourage them to visit on of our patrolled beaches. We can keep an eye on you between our flags. Our goal is to keep everyone safe.

‘If you go in the sea at a non-patrolled beach, make sure you someone knows where you are at all times and that you have a means for calling for help.

‘If you find yourself or see anyone else in difficulty, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. If you fall in the water unexpectedly, try to relax and float to live.’

RNLI Float to Live advice:

· Tilt your head back with your ears submerged

· Relax and try to breathe normally

· Move your hands to help you stay afloat

· It’s okay if your legs sink, we all float differently

· Spread your arms and legs to improve stability

Media Contacts

For more information, please contact Anya Walton Communications Placement at Anya_Walton@rnli.org.uk or call 07977468268. Alternatively, contact the RNLI Press Office at PressOffice@rnli.org.uk or call 01202336789.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube

. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI – public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.