Community
Calling all otter spotters
OTTER sightings on the Pembrokeshire coastline are on the increase, but extra help is needed to find out more about this furry wildlife favourite.
The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority has teamed up with Pembrokeshire Marine Special Area of Conservation (SAC) Officer Sue Burton to ask people to report coastal otter sightings for a county-wide research project.More than 60 sightings have been recorded by members of the public on the Pembrokeshire Coast since the project began two months ago.
National Park Ranger Ian Meopham said: “We only have one type of otter in the UK – the Eurasian Otter – which is most commonly found living in freshwater, but in Scotland these otters make constant use of the sea, and it seems that in Pembrokeshire they are spending a lot of time on the coast too.
“People have spotted them around St Davids, Stackpole, and Abermawr. Quite a lot of the reports so far have been from sea kayakers, surfers and people out coasteering. Someone was even lucky enough to spot an otter with a guillemot [sea bird] in its mouth.”
Ian is inviting people to report sightings to Oriel y Parc Gallery and Visitor Centre in St Davids, where you can pinpoint your otter spot on a map. A logbook will then be passed on to Pembrokeshire Marine SAC Officer Sue Burton for the project, which is a repeat of a 2002 coastal survey and looks to establish whether the otters making use of the coast are a separate population to those using the inland waterways.
Sue said: “We already know there are otters using this part of the coastline for foraging and even breeding. What we want to know now is whether they are using it seasonally or whether the same otters are active on the coast all year.
“As well as new otter sightings, we are interested in sightings going back to 2002, especially any sightings north of Newport, and east of Bosherston as we currently have few recorded sightings in these areas. We do rely heavily on sightings from the public so the more otter spotters, the better!”
The Park Authority also uses information about current sightings to advise outdoor activity providers about particularly sensitive areas of coastline, so they can avoid disturbing the otters and their habitat. Report your otter sightings at Oriel y Parc (open daily, 10am-4.30pm) or call Sue Burton on 01646 696108 or email [email protected], giving the date, time and place where you spotted your otter.
Sue Burton is giving a talk with Geoff Lyles, of The Otter Consultancy, at the Marine Wildlife Sightings event on November 20th, run by Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum at the Merlin Theatre, Haverfordwest.
Community
More Pembrokeshire children learning to swim through Long Course Weekend scheme
Support from Princes Gate helps expand school lessons and launch new open-water initiative across South Wales
MORE children in Pembrokeshire are learning to swim thanks to an expanding programme backed by Long Course Weekend and Princes Gate water.
The 2026 Pembrokeshire Learn-to-Swim Legacy Programme is set to reach 55 local schools this year, giving more than 1,000 pupils access to structured swimming lessons.
Organisers say the scheme is already making a clear difference. Last year, 62 per cent of Pembrokeshire pupils in Years three to six achieved the national swimming standard, which is 22 per cent above the national average. Among Year six pupils, 80 per cent reached the National Curriculum standard.
At one participating school, the swim pass rate reportedly rose from just 8 per cent to 80 per cent in a single year.
The programme was first launched by Long Course Weekend in 2022 after Swim Wales reported that up to 52 per cent of children leave primary school unable to swim.
Its aim is to improve access to lessons in schools, raise swimming standards, and ensure cost and opportunity are not barriers for children in communities around Long Course Weekend host towns.
This year’s programme will also include a new open-water initiative across South Wales, with planned sessions designed to help both children and adults build confidence in natural bodies of water.
Matthew Evans, CEO of Long Course Weekend, said: “Although each host region shapes the Programme around its own needs, the purpose remains the same: to leave a long-term, positive legacy, ensuring accessibility and affordability are never obstacles to participation or progression.
“With the support of our partners such as Princes Gate water, our initiative is designed to help overcome barriers in sport and create opportunities not only for children, but for people of all ages to participate in physical activities in a positive, supported environment.”
Princes Gate, which bottles its water at source near Narberth, has continued its support for the programme through its Pembrokeshire site.
Niall Bridge, Plant Manager of the Princes Gate bottling site, Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages UK, said: “Being a water company, with our site based near the Pembrokeshire coast, it was a natural choice for us to support the Long Course Weekend Legacy Programme with its mission of improving the swimming ability across the region.
“We want to be a good neighbour in Pembrokeshire, where we bottle our Princes Gate water. We are proud to call this beautiful place home and share the same vision as LCW – to improve access, opportunity and wellbeing in our local communities.”
Long Course Weekend Wales, founded in 2010, has become one of Europe’s best-known multi-sport endurance festivals, bringing athletes from around the world to Tenby each year.
Through its Legacy Programme, the event also aims to leave a lasting benefit in its host communities by directing funds into projects that help people learn to swim, cycle and run.
Photo caption: Backing the scheme: Matthew Evans, Abigail Felstead, Morgan Grieve and Niall Bridge (Pic supplied).
Community
‘Vindictive’ Code of Conduct complaint about councillor will not be investigated
NO OMBUDSMAN investigation is to take place into a recently elected Pembrokeshire county councillor following a “waste of taxpayers’ money” complaint of a claimed breach of the code of conduct.
William Cuthbert Linton Shaw, commonly known as Billy Shaw, won the Fishguard North-East ward seat for Plaid Cymru – The Party of Wales in February following a byelection called after the death of Cllr Jordan Ryan last November.
Cllr Shaw’s election win in February means Plaid now has three county councillors in Pembrokeshire.
Cllr Shaw was reported to the Ombudsman after attending his first full council meeting in March, describing the complaint as “a waste of taxpayers’ money” and “a sad attempt at stifling the right to my freedom of expression”.
“On March 5 I attended my first county council meeting as the newly elected councillor for Fishguard NE,” said Cllr Shaw.
“Outside was a group, Solidarity with Palestine who had a petition to be heard on Agenda Item No 5 [of that meeting], ‘Disinvestment in Companies profiting from Genocide’.
“A ‘member of the public’ complained that these people were supporting ‘Palestine Action’ and that I had breached the Code of Conduct relating to being a councillor by being pictured with them and this report was sent to the Ombudsman on March 10.
“On Thursday I found out that this was not being investigated by the Ombudsman, as under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) I am allowed the freedom of expression in who I want to support and there was no evidence that they supported ‘Palestine Action’ or indeed did I by being pictured alongside them.”
Cllr Shaw said there were two lessons following the complaint: “It was a waste of the Ombudsman’s time, as it was a petty and vindictive attempt by this individual who has a long history of trolling anyone especially those in public office with a left-wing viewpoint. The ECHR protected my rights to freedom of expression, remove the ECHR and you remove that freedom.”
Community
Canicross classes launched in Milford Haven
New sessions offer dog owners in Pembrokeshire a chance to get fit alongside their pets through the fast-growing sport of canicross
A NEW dog-powered sport is coming to Milford Haven, giving local people and their pets a fresh way to get active together.
Dog trainer Tamsin Mathias, founder of Welsh Underdogs Canicross and Welsh Underdogs Dog Training, has introduced certified DogFit canicross classes to the area after qualifying as an instructor.
Canicross is a growing sport in which runners are attached to their dogs by a harness and bungee line, allowing the dog to run ahead and help create shared momentum. The sport combines cross-country running with dog handling and is becoming increasingly popular among owners looking for a more active partnership with their pets.
Ms Mathias said she was proud to bring DogFit training to Milford Haven.
She said: “I’m incredibly proud to be bringing DogFit training to the Milford Haven area.
“Canicross is such an empowering sport. It builds confidence in both dogs and handlers, improves fitness, and creates a real sense of partnership.
“I’m excited to help more people get started safely and enjoy it as much as I do.
“I’m also excited to be representing DogFit through Welsh Underdogs. They’re a fantastic UK-based company, and I’m excited to be working with them to help make canicross accessible to more people.”
Her new qualification means she can now offer structured canicross classes as well as one-to-one sessions, with the nearest certified training previously based near Cardiff.
Ms Mathias already holds professional qualifications with the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers and the Dog Training College. She runs with her spaniel-beagle cross Toby and has experience competing in events including Canix Fur Nations and Red Warrior.
She will be offering DogFit’s Couch to 5K canicross courses, helping dog owners of all abilities to get involved through group classes and personalised coaching. Training will also include guidance on equipment, running technique and dog fitness.
As a certified dog trainer, Ms Mathias said dog welfare and ethical training methods remain central to her work.
She said: “Toby is a very high-energy breed, and even though we do agility, I felt that he needed a job to do.
“Canicross has become his job, and our bond has strengthened as a result.
“I’ve also introduced my nervous collie to the sport, and he is coming on in leaps and bounds.”
Canicross is said to offer physical and mental benefits for both dogs and owners, while also helping improve behaviour and providing access to a supportive outdoor community.
Details of upcoming classes and training sessions are available through the Welsh Underdogs Canicross website and Welsh Underdogs Dog Training social media pages.
Caption:
Tamsin Mathias and Toby are bringing certified canicross classes to Milford Haven (Pic: Supplied)
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