CARMARTHENSHIRE has been ranked among the safest places in the UK for children to play outside, according to new research analysing child safety across Britain.

The county placed sixth overall, with a child safety score of 7.74 out of ten, as Welsh areas dominated the top ten rankings.

The study, carried out by outdoor play equipment specialists Outdoortoys, examined a range of factors including road safety, access to parks, levels of antisocial behaviour, and population density of children.

Nine of the top ten safest areas for outdoor play were found to be in Wales.

The Vale of Glamorgan ranked first overall with a score of 8.33, followed by Monmouthshire and Ceredigion in second and third place respectively.

Pembrokeshire also featured prominently, ranking fifth with a score of 7.89.

The research found that Carmarthenshire benefits from relatively low pedestrian casualty rates, good access to parks and playgrounds, and a high proportion of urban roads with 20mph speed limits.

Across Wales, lower population density and widespread 20mph zones were identified as key factors contributing to safer outdoor environments for children.

The report also highlighted stark contrasts with more densely populated urban areas, where higher traffic levels, increased antisocial behaviour, and fewer accessible play spaces contributed to lower safety scores.

Stoke-on-Trent was identified as the least safe area in the UK for outdoor play, with significantly fewer 20mph roads and higher risk factors overall.

The study also found that Gwynedd has the highest number of parks and playgrounds per child anywhere in the UK.

Alex Price, a product expert at Outdoortoys, said: “Outdoor play is essential for children’s physical health, social development and confidence. When parents feel it is unsafe for children to play outside, it limits their independence and development.

“Creating safe environments, whether in public spaces or at home, is vital to ensuring children have the freedom to play, explore and grow.”

The findings come amid ongoing concerns about road safety and rising traffic levels, which campaigners say are making it increasingly difficult for children to play outdoors freely.

Local diving club showcases the importance of rescue skills as part of British Sub-Aqua Club training

A LOCAL diving club has been highlighting the importance of life-saving skills after hosting a rescue-themed training session this week.

Cardigan Sub Aqua Club, which is part of the British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC), held a structured pool session focused on practising emergency rescue techniques and drills.

The club shared that the session was designed to simulate real-life scenarios divers may face, helping members build confidence and competence in dealing with potential underwater emergencies.

BSAC is the UK’s national governing body for recreational diving and is known for placing a strong emphasis on safety. Unlike some other training organisations, such as Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), BSAC integrates rescue skills and emergency response training from the very beginning of a diver’s learning journey.

This means that even novice divers are introduced early to essential techniques such as assisting distressed divers, controlled ascents, and managing incidents both in and out of the water.

A spokesperson for the club said the session had a clear focus: “Last night’s pool session had a rescue theme. One of the main differences between PADI and BSAC is that rescue scenarios and drills are embedded in training with BSAC from the very start.

“It’s always good to practise rescue skills and drills.”

Clubs like Cardigan Sub Aqua Club regularly use swimming pools as a controlled environment to rehearse these scenarios before applying them in open water, such as along the Pembrokeshire coastline.

The training not only improves diver safety but also ensures members are prepared to assist others in emergency situations—something that can be critical in a sport where conditions can change quickly.

With Pembrokeshire offering some of the UK’s most popular diving spots, the club says ongoing training and refresher sessions are key to keeping divers safe while enjoying the county’s waters.

Relationship began while woman sought pastoral support over family trauma linked to Caldey abuse scandal

A WEST Wales Catholic priest who formed a personal and sexual relationship with a parishioner he had been counselling was later found to have breached Church safeguarding standards after the woman died following a fall at a hotel where they were staying together.

Susan Gerardine Philippart, aged 61, a primary school teacher from Gorseinon, Swansea, died on March 25, 2020 from catastrophic head injuries sustained in an unwitnessed fall down a staircase at the Norton House Hotel in Mumbles two weeks earlier.

An inquest concluded she died from traumatic brain injury after falling down stairs on March 10, 2020, recording a verdict of accidental death.

However, the woman’s family say they remain troubled by aspects of the case — including the fact that police were not called to the scene on the night of the incident.

The coroner’s office has confirmed that South Wales Police were not involved in the investigation and that the conclusion was reached on the basis of statements gathered during the coroner’s inquiry.

Counselling relationship

According to Susan’s daughter, Rebecca Philippart, the relationship between her mother and Father Mansel Usher began in 2017 when Susan sought pastoral counselling from the priest while he was serving at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Mumbles.

The sessions took place during a period of emotional strain for the family.

Rebecca had previously been a victim of childhood abuse connected to Caldey Island, and the revelations surrounding abuse there had caused renewed trauma.

Susan also sought guidance from the priest regarding a church annulment from her first marriage so she could marry her long-term partner.

Rebecca says her mother was a deeply religious Catholic and a respected teacher who had worked for almost three decades at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Swansea.

“She was not the kind of woman who would have an affair with a priest,” Rebecca said.

“She was in a happy relationship before he became involved.”

Rebecca alleges that during the counselling period the relationship between priest and parishioner developed into a romantic and sexual one.

She says the pair discussed marriage and that Father Usher had indicated he might leave the priesthood.

Move to Tenby

In early 2019 Father Usher was transferred from Mumbles to St Teilo’s Catholic Church in Tenby.

Parishioners were told at the time that the move related to disagreements about modernising the church.

Rebecca believes the transfer came after the relationship became known within church circles, although this has not been confirmed by the Diocese.

The Herald has asked the Archdiocese of Cardiff-Menevia to clarify the circumstances surrounding the transfer.

Final weeks before tragedy

Rebecca says that in the weeks before the incident her mother began expressing doubts about the relationship.

She says Susan confided that she felt something was “not right” and was considering ending it.

On March 10, 2020 Father Usher officiated at the funeral of Susan’s mother at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Mumbles.

Later that evening Susan, her brother and Father Usher stayed at the nearby Norton House Hotel following a family gathering.

The night of the fall

In a statement provided to the inquest, Father Usher said he had consumed no alcohol during the day and described the events leading up to the fall.

He said the group had returned to the hotel and that he later walked upstairs ahead of Susan before turning and finding her lying at the bottom of the staircase with severe head injuries.

He said he had neither heard nor witnessed the fall itself.

Hotel staff called emergency services and Susan was taken to hospital in Cardiff.

She never regained consciousness and died 15 days later.

Inquest findings

The inquest into Susan’s death opened on April 8, 2020 and concluded on September 4, 2020 at Swansea Coroner’s Court.

The coroner recorded that she died from traumatic brain injury sustained after an unwitnessed fall down stairs at the Norton House Hotel in Mumbles.

The official conclusion was accidental death.

Rebecca Philippart says she believes the circumstances surrounding the incident warranted closer scrutiny.

She says she remains concerned that police were not called to the hotel on the night of the incident.

Hospital period

Rebecca also describes events during her mother’s two-week hospital stay that she says caused her distress.

She alleges that Father Usher acted as though he were next-of-kin, obtained a password for medical updates from staff and sent family messages suggesting Susan’s condition was improving.

Rebecca further alleges that he spoke inappropriately to her about his relationship with her mother while at the bedside and said he intended to marry her.

After Susan’s death, Rebecca says Father Usher performed last rites and said “goodbye darling” before leaving.

These accounts are Rebecca Philippart’s allegations and have not been tested in any criminal court.

Safeguarding investigation

Separate from the inquest, the Archdiocese of Cardiff-Menevia later conducted a safeguarding investigation into Father Usher’s conduct.

A multi-agency safeguarding meeting concluded that concerns about inappropriate personal relationships connected to his pastoral ministry and failures to maintain professional boundaries were substantiated.

Father Usher has since retired from ministry.

The Herald understands that canonical proceedings may still be under consideration within the Church.

Church and police contacted

The Pembrokeshire Herald has contacted the Archdiocese of Cardiff-Menevia, South Wales Police and Father Usher seeking comment.

Any responses received will be published when available.

Separate processes

The coroner’s investigation examined only the medical and factual circumstances of the fall and concluded Susan’s death was accidental.

The safeguarding investigation was a separate process relating to pastoral conduct before the incident.

Anyone affected by issues raised in this article can contact Safe Spaces, an independent support service for people abused in religious settings.

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TIMELINE: KEY EVENTS

2017
Susan Philippart begins pastoral counselling sessions with Father Mansel Usher at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Mumbles.

2018
According to family, the relationship between priest and parishioner becomes personal and romantic.

February 2019
Father Usher moves from Mumbles to St Teilo’s Catholic Church in Tenby.

Early 2020
Susan reportedly expresses doubts about the relationship.

March 10, 2020
Father Usher officiates at Susan’s mother’s funeral.
Later that evening Susan suffers a catastrophic fall down stairs at the Norton House Hotel in Mumbles.

March 25, 2020
Susan dies at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.

September 4, 2020
Inquest records verdict of accidental death following an unwitnessed fall.

Later investigation
A Church safeguarding investigation substantiates concerns about the priest’s conduct.

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EXPLAINER: WHAT IS A SAFEGUARDING INVESTIGATION?

Catholic dioceses are required to investigate concerns about clergy behaviour under safeguarding rules designed to protect vulnerable people.

These investigations examine whether priests:

• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries
• Avoid personal or sexual relationships arising from pastoral counselling
• Act in a way that preserves trust placed in them by parishioners

Safeguarding investigations are separate from criminal investigations and use the civil standard of proof — the balance of probabilities.

Where concerns are substantiated, disciplinary measures may follow within Church law, including restrictions on ministry or possible removal from the priesthood.