News

RNLI seek applications for summer lifeguards

Published

10 years ago

February 2, 2016

In action: RNLI lifeguards during Ironman Wales in Tenby 2014

PEMBROKESHIRE may be in the depths of winter but the RNLI has already begun its search for new lifeguards to patrol the county’s beaches this summer.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has launched its Best Summer Job campaign by opening beach lifeguard recruitment online.

New recruits will be kitted, paid and trained to patrol on Pembrokeshire’s busiest beaches for the charity that saves lives a sea.

RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor Stuart Penfold said: ‘I can’t think of a better way to cure the winter blues than applying to become an RNLI beach lifeguard and get paid to save lives this summer.

‘We’re looking for strong swimmers who can swim 400m with a good level of fitness aged over 16 years old. If you have the raw ability and the will to learn we can help get you fit and qualified.’

Working in partnership with Pembrokeshire County Council, RNLI lifeguards provide safety advice and assistance on 13* of the county’s beaches.

Lifeguards come from all walks of life including college and university students, teachers, stay-at-home parents, business owners and gap year travellers, all looking to do something special with their summer.

Stuart added: ‘The experience you’ll gain this summer as an RNLI beach lifeguard will stay with you for life. You’ll work with an inspiring team and make lifelong friends while getting the chance to improve your physical fitness and learn new skills.

‘There’s nothing better than making the beach your office, getting paid to train and knowing you have the first aid and rescue skills to save someone’s life at a moment’s notice. It’s the best job you’ll ever have.’

Cllr Elwyn Morse, Pembrokeshire County Council Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Leisure, said: ‘We are pleased that the RNLI are again recruiting people to keep our beaches safe for another season. As a beach lifeguard, each person will receive first class training and gain essential life skills.’

RNLI beach lifeguard recruitment is now open at jobs.rnli.org/lifeguards.html

For more information please contact Stuart Penfold on 07891 867836.

Five recommended ways to beat the winter blues and prepare to become an RNLI beach lifeguard are:

1) Get online and apply to become an RNLI lifeguard at jobs.rnli. org/lifeguards.html.

2) Go swimming – get down your local pool and train to be able to swim 400m in under 7 minutes 30 seconds which is the minimum standard for an RNLI lifeguard. The exercise will boost your energy and your mood, making those dark winter evenings a little more bearable.

3) Go running outside– listen to some summer tunes through your headphones and practice your sprints. You’ll need to cover 200m on sand in under 40 seconds to become a lifeguard. Being outside in daylight boosts your mood and is a great way to beat the winter blues

4) Watch the RNLI’s lifeguard recruitment video, then close your eyes and think that in just a few months this could be you!

5) Eat healthily – RNLI lifeguards are fit people but this doesn’t come naturally. They exercise regularly and eat healthily. A healthy diet boosts your mood, gives you more energy and stops you putting on weight over the winter, which you’ll be grateful for during the sprint test.

Pembrokeshire RNLI lifeguards provide a safety service on Amroth, Saundersfoot, Tenby North, Tenby South, Tenby Castle, Freshwater West, Broad Haven, Nolton Haven, Newgale South, Newgale North, Newport and Poppit Sands beaches. Lifeguards also provide safety patrols on Pendine and Pembrey in Carmarthenshire.

Ministry of Defence

Castlemartin range set for heavy activity as winter live-fire exercise begins

Published

5 hours ago

November 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Army warns of late-night firing and increased traffic

CASTLEMARTIN Training Area will be extremely busy over the next few weeks as the Army begins a major live-fire exercise running from now until to 5 December.

The winter training block will see troops carrying out critical preparation ahead of future deployments, with extensive armoured manoeuvres and both daytime and night-time firing.

Extended firing hours

Live firing will take place between the following times:

Monday: 8:00am – 6:00pm and 8:00pm – 3:00am
Tuesday: 8:00am – 6:00pm and 8:00pm – 3:00am
Wednesday: 8:00am – 6:00pm and 8:00pm – 3:00am
Thursday: 8:00am – 6:00pm and 8:00pm – 3:00am
Friday: 8:00am – 6:00pm

There will be no live firing at weekends, although military vehicles will still be moving around the area.

Residents are being reminded that these times are the earliest and latest possible firing windows. Not every day will start or finish at the maximum hours listed.

Traffic expected on rural roads

The Army says there will be increased vehicle movements on local roads—particularly in Angle, Castlemartin and the Freshwater West area—in the week leading up to the exercise and throughout the training period.

A spokesperson said the support of local people is appreciated: “These exercises are essential for maintaining readiness and ensuring our troops are fully trained for any future operational requirement.”

Crime

Two Milford Haven men sent to Crown Court on GBH charges

Published

6 hours ago

November 18, 2025

Court Reporter

The incident stems from a violent incident outside The Vibe public house, Milford Haven involving three men – a woman was also wounded in the incident

TWO Milford Haven men have been sent to Swansea Crown Court charged with section 18 wounding after an alleged incident in the town on November 15.

David McCallum, 41, of Plas Peregrine, Steynton, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates court on Monday (Nov 17). He is accused of unlawfully and maliciously wounding a woman in Milford Haven with intent to cause her grievous bodily harm, contrary to section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.

McCallum also faces a second section 18 charge alleging that, on the same date in Milford Haven, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded a man with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm.

He was represented by solicitor Tom Lloyd, with the prosecution conducted by Nia James.

On Tuesday (Nov 18), Nathan Abbott, 31, also of Plas Peregrine, Steynton, appeared before District Judge Mark Layton at Haverfordwest magistrates court.

Abbott is charged with unlawfully and maliciously wounding a man in Milford Haven on November 15 with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm, contrary to section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.

He was represented by Mike Kelleher, of Welch & Co.

Abbott also gave no plea, and his case was likewise sent to Swansea Crown Court under section 51 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

Both McCallum and Abbott were remanded on conditional bail.

McCallum’s bail conditions include a curfew from 7:00pm to 7:00am, to be electronically monitored, not to contact directly or indirectly witnesses, and not to enter any public house, licensed club or off-licence.

Abbott’s bail conditions include living and sleeping each night at his home address , not to contact witnesses directly or indirectly, and not to enter licensed premises.

Both men must appear for a Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing at Swansea Crown Court on December 19, 2025, at 9:00am.

No pre-sentence reports were ordered and no indication was given regarding any victim personal statements at this stage.

Crime

Aberystwyth man remanded after admitting cocaine supply

Published

6 hours ago

November 18, 2025

Court Reporter

Case sent to Swansea Crown Court for sentencing

AN ABERYSTWYTH man has been remanded in custody after admitting possessing cocaine with intent to supply and having £7,000 in criminal cash.

Luke Hutton, 25, of Corporation Street, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Nov 17) for his first hearing. The case was heard by a bench of Mr J Steadman, Mrs M Scott and Mr R John. He was represented by Jessica Hill and Mike Kelleher, while the prosecution was led by Nia James.

Hutton pleaded guilty to two offences arising from a police incident at Yr Hafan, Princess Street, Aberystwyth, on November 14.

The first charge was possessing £7,000 in criminal property, contrary to the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. The second was possessing a quantity of cocaine, a Class A drug, with intent to supply.

Magistrates were told that Hutton indicated guilty pleas to both matters on the day of his appearance.

Because of the seriousness of the charges, the bench committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence under Section 14 of the Sentencing Act 2020. A pre-sentence report has been ordered.

Magistrates refused bail, citing the likelihood of further offending, the seriousness of the offences and the likely custodial sentence. Hutton was remanded into custody.

He will next appear at Swansea Crown Court on December 1, 2025, at 9:00am, for a committal for sentence hearing, listed for 30 minutes.