Community

Anniversary celebrated by Park Friends

Published

10 years ago

June 13, 2016

‘The Vision Moves On’: Four former chairmen came together to cut the beautifully decorated anniversary cake

CELEBRATING their silver anniversary in style with fine dining were the Friends of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park (FPCNP), who attended the Wolfscastle Country Hotel last Friday (May 20).

From its inception, the independent voluntary charity FPCNP has been committed to helping protect, conserve and enhance the National Park for all to enjoy.

The FPCNP also aim to be of critical support to the Park Authority, and in recent years they have managed to form an effective campaigning alliance with other sister National Park societies in Wales.

In the unavoidable absence of Steve Drinkwater, the new chairman of the 400-member organisation, his predecessor Peter Heard welcomed the visiting colleagues and guests.

Among the attendees was guest speaker Tori James, Jim Wilson from the Brecon Beacons Society, David Archer from the Snowdonia Society, County Councillor Mike James, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s Tegryn Jones and the Campaign for National Parks’ Fiona Howie.

Also in attendance were the five founding members of the group, who had participated in the first general meeting which took place at the Skrinkle Centre in Manorbier back in May 1991.

Some of the key issues which were discussed back in the first meeting, such as wind turbines, remain on the agenda to this day.

After their delicious dinner, which was made using local produce, guest speaker Tori James gave the group a vivid insight into her many different adventures.

Tori, who was raised on a farm in Pembrokeshire, says that her enthusiasm was kindled through the girl-guiding she completed as part of her Duke of Edinburgh Award.

She says that her resolve was tempered by completing a 360-mile Polar Challenge in polar bear territory, across constantly shifting sea ice whilst battling against temperatures of -40°C as part of the Pink Lady Polecats ski team.

In 2007, Mount Everest became her next challenge. The expedition demanded unrelenting physical and mental preparation over the course of 18 months.

Tori described the exhausting acclimatisation process on the mountain, as well as the sickness which took away her first chance to go for the summit, and the obsessional mindset which drove her onwards.

She became the youngest British woman and first Welsh woman to climb Everest on May 24, 2007. During the 40 minutes she stood on top of the world, she said that her overwhelming emotion was one of relief.

She is currently helping to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Duke of Edinburgh Award by taking part in 60 days of adventure, believing that taking part in outdoor activities can transform lives.

Tori’s infectious enthusiasm and her unquenchable passion for adventuring are why she was chosen to be the ambassador for the Visit Wales ‘Year of Adventure.’

After Tori’s inspirational talk, four former chairmen of the FPCNP came together to cut and serve the beautifully decorated anniversary cake.

Peter was thanked for guiding the group through a period of great change, as he led several important developments within the last five years.

One of these developments is the alliance of the Welsh National Park Societies which has brought a new campaigning force to the Welsh Assembly.

Also praised was Peter’s Children’s Literary Competition which piqued young people’s interest in, and awareness of, the unique and special qualities of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

The evening concluded with a presentation to Peter on behalf of all members present. This was followed by a toast to the prosperity of the association for the next 25 years with the stirring headline that appeared in the first issue of their newsletter – ‘The Vision Moves On’.

Community

West Wales Sea Cadets celebrate outstanding regatta success

Published

13 hours ago

July 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

CADETS from across West Wales have returned from the South West Area Sea Cadets Sail and Windsurf Regatta with an impressive collection of medals and team honours.

Strong performances across both sailing and windsurfing helped West Wales District finish third overall in the combined competition.

In the sailing events, Leading Cadet Jack, of Tenby Sea Cadets, secured third place in the Open Pico class.

Ordinary Cadet Sadie, of Port Talbot Sea Cadets, finished seventh in the Open RS Zest, while Cadet First Class Charis, of Tenby, placed 13th. Their combined results helped West Wales achieve sixth place overall in the Zest competition.

Milford Haven cadets also enjoyed success in the Junior RS Quest, with Cadet First Class Dylan and Ordinary Cadet Naomi taking second place. West Wales went on to finish third overall in the Junior RS Quest category.

In the Open RS Quest, Able Cadet Wilfred and Leading Cadet Reilly, of Swansea Sea Cadets, secured third place, contributing to a sixth-place overall finish in the class.

West Wales District finished fourth in the overall sailing competition.

The district produced even stronger results in the windsurfing events.

Cadet Harley, of Fishguard Sea Cadets, finished second in the up to 4.5-metre category, while Cadet Konrad, of Neath and District Sea Cadets and Royal Marines Cadets, placed fourth. Their performances earned West Wales the overall title in the class.

In the up to 5.8-metre event, Able Cadet Noah, of Fishguard, finished second, with fellow Fishguard cadet Able Cadet Jakob taking fourth place. West Wales again secured the overall class victory.

Able Cadet Ryan, of Milford Haven, claimed first place in the up to 6.8-metre competition, helping the district take its third windsurfing class title.

The combined results saw West Wales District crowned overall winners of the windsurfing competition.

A strong team effort across every event ultimately secured third place for West Wales in the overall Sail and Windsurf Regatta standings.

West Wales District Sea Cadets congratulated all those who competed, describing the results as a fantastic achievement for the cadets and their units.

Community

Tributes paid to long-serving Mansel Davies driver Gareth Griffiths

Published

15 hours ago

July 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

TRIBUTES have been paid to Gareth Griffiths, who worked for one of Pembrokeshire’s largest and best-known haulage firms for more than three decades.

Mansel Davies Group announced that its former employee sadly passed away on Monday, July 13.

During more than 30 years with the company, Gareth carried out a variety of roles, including tipper driving and vehicle recovery work.

The company shared a photograph of Gareth standing beside one of its distinctive Volvo lorries and paid tribute to his many years of dedicated service.

Gareth will be laid to rest at Hermon Chapel at 11:00am on Saturday, August 1.

The thoughts of his former colleagues are with Gareth’s family and friends.

Cysga’n dawel, Gareth.

Community

84-year-old man rescued after falling overboard near Tenby

Published

2 days ago

July 18, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A MAYDAY call sparked a major nighttime rescue after an 84-year-old man fell from a tender and was swept towards rocks near St Catherine’s Island in Tenby.

Both Tenby RNLI lifeboats were requested to launch shortly before 10.30pm on Friday, July 17, after the Coastguard received a distress call from a yacht anchored in North Bay.

The yacht’s crew reported seeing an elderly man who appeared to be in difficulty while attempting to return to his vessel in a small tender after spending time ashore in Tenby.

The all-weather lifeboat began searching between St Catherine’s Island and the North Highcliffe buoy, while the inshore lifeboat searched the waters beneath the Esplanade.

During the operation, the inshore lifeboat crew fired a white parachute flare to illuminate the area. The improved visibility allowed them to spot the tender, but when they reached it, they discovered it was empty.

The crew could then hear cries for help coming from the water.

A member of the public, Josh Dean, had rushed to the lifeboat station after seeing the tender being carried by the current into the cave beneath St Catherine’s Island.

Using the information he provided, the lifeboat crews quickly located the man clinging to rocks at the island after he had fallen overboard in the strong current.

He was immediately taken aboard the lifeboat, warmed up and assessed for any urgent medical problems before being taken into Tenby Harbour.

The casualty was handed into the care of the Tenby Coastguard Rescue Team while an ambulance was requested. Due to high demand on the Welsh Ambulance Service, he was later taken into the lifeboat station to wait in warmth and safety.

Tenby RNLI said the information provided by Josh had saved valuable time during the search and helped crews locate the casualty more quickly.

A spokesperson said: “We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Josh Dean, who came to the lifeboat station to report seeing the casualty being carried by the current into the cave beneath St Catherine’s.

“The information Josh provided was invaluable. It undoubtedly saved valuable time during the search, helping our crews locate the casualty more quickly and ultimately contributing to saving his life.”