News
Poppit Sands gains Blue Flag award
POPPIT SANDS beach in Pembrokeshire has been awarded the Blue Flag award.
The Keep Wales Tidy’s Wales Coast Awards have also given awards to a number of beaches and marinas across Wales.
Other awards include the Green Coast Award and Seaside Award and the beaches are ranked amongst the best in the UK and across the world.
47 sites will proudly fly the Blue Flag Award in Wales this year.
Poppit Sands lies at the mouth of the Teifi Estuary and is a sandy beach backed by dunes.
At high water there is plenty of beach but it’s a low tide when the full extent of sand appears to go almost to Gwbert on the other side.
It is the start, or the end, of the 186 mile Pembrokeshire Coast Path which takes you right around the coast to Amroth in the south.
The Blue Flag beach award is widely considered the gold standard for beaches. Awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education, the Blue Flag is internationally recognised. Whilst most people are aware that Blue Flag certification guarantees the quality of bathing water this is only part of the criteria.
The Blue Flag award is ideally suited to resort beaches with plenty of facilities. It is for this reason that the other awards granted in the UK may be of equal or more use in choosing a suitable beach.
The Blue Flag criteria are divided into four categories with a total of 33 individual targets. These main categories include: Environmental Education and Information, Water Quality, Environmental Management and Safety and Services.
Wales has seen an increase in the number of international Blue Flag Awards with 44 beaches and three marinas being awarded a Blue Flag- five more than last year.
A further 26 beaches were awarded the Green Coast Award- an excellence award for the ‘hidden gems’ along our coastline and a total of 92 beaches have been awarded the Seaside Award.
The Blue Flag Award is a highly respected international award owned by the Foundation of Environmental Education (FEE) and runs in 49 countries across the world. In Wales, environmental charirty Keep Wales Tidy manages the award.
The prestigious award is only awarded to beaches, marinas and boats that have the highest quality of water, environmental education and management, safety and services. It acts as a guarantee to the public that a beach is among the finest not only in the country, but around the world.
Poppit Sands joins a number of other Pembrokeshire Blue Flag Beaches including Amroth, Tenby (South, North and Castle), Newgale and Dale.
Community
Community gathers to remember Corrina Baker
Lanterns and balloons released in emotional acts of remembrance
FAMILY, friends and members of the local community came together to remember Corrina Baker at a series of moving events held across west Wales this week.
Corrina’s funeral took place on Monday (Dec 15), a month after her death, with a public service held at St Mary’s Church. Mourners lined the route as her coffin was carried on its final journey in an elegant horse-drawn carriage, before a private cremation later took place at Parc Gwyn crematorium in Narberth.

Later that evening, shortly after 6:00pm, friends and relatives gathered at the Quayside in Cardigan for the first of two acts of remembrance to celebrate her life. Lanterns were lit and released into the night sky above the town as some of Corrina’s favourite songs were played.






On Tuesday afternoon (Dec 16), a second tribute was held near the location where Corrina was found. Twenty-one pink balloons — one for each year of her life — were released into a clear blue sky, each carrying personal messages in her memory.
Floral tributes continue to be laid at the Netpool, while a GoFundMe appeal set up in Corrina’s memory has raised more than £2,300. She has been described by those who knew her as “funny and bright”.
Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ms Baker’s death is ongoing. A 29-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder has been released on bail while inquiries continue.
(Photos: Stuart Ladd/Herald)









Community
Six untaxed vehicles seized in Milford Haven police operation
SIX untaxed and abandoned vehicles were seized during a joint roads policing operation in Milford Haven on Tuesday morning.
Officers from the Milford Haven Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Team (NPPT) worked alongside the Pembrokeshire Roads Policing Team as part of targeted enforcement across the town.
In addition to the vehicle seizures, a number of traffic offence reports were issued to drivers during the operation.
Police said the action formed part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety and tackle vehicle-related offences in the Milford Haven area.
Community
Candlelit carol service brings community together in Milford Haven
ST KATHARINE and St Peter’s Church in Milford Haven hosted its annual Candlelit Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, bringing together members of the community for a traditional celebration of Christmas.
The service featured readings from the Mayor of Milford Haven, representatives of the Soroptimists, Milford Haven Amateur Operatic Society, the Headteacher and Head Prefects of Milford Haven School, Milford Haven Town Band, and NCI Wooltack Point.
Music for the evening was provided by organist Seimon Morris, Milford Haven Town Band and the Milford Haven Cluster Band, whose performances added to the atmosphere of the candlelit service.
The Friends of St Katharine and St Peter’s Church thanked all those involved and wished the community a happy Christmas.

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