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Alternative Celtic Challenge a success

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MEMBERS of Towy Boat club braved strong winds and heavy rain over the weekend to honour the money they had raised for local charities.

The crew had originally intended to participate in the Celtic Challenge until the event was postponed until next year due to bad weather.

Determined to honour all the money raised for the Cameron Comey and Luke Somerfield Trusts, the Towy crew vowed to row their own Alternative Celtic Challenge over the same distance as the original Irish Sea crossing.

Their original plan was to split the team of 12 rowers into two boats, rather than rotate the crew into one boat like they would have in the original Celtic Challenge. A course of some 50 miles, up the Towy and along the coast to Pembrokeshire and back, was planned.

With strong winds and heavy rain threatening to halt the crew’s determination to row their Alternative Celtic Challenge on the weekend of May 20, they quickly rerouted their course so that safe navigation was possible within the limited weather windows. Using the new route, they successfully rowed 96miles in 17 hours and 32 minutes.

As interest and support for the new event grew, the crew quickly needed to rethink to allow others to join them on the Challenge, freeing up seats to include more people in the adventure. On Friday evening, Towy’s Celtic crew were joined by their Celtic Challenge support vessel and the club’s second wind sailors.

The Carmarthen Quay row planned for that evening was not possible as the weather window didn’t allow for a long row. Instead the flotilla of three longboats headed down towards Scott’s Bay. On returning to the club, the Celtic rowers continued rowing on the ergs.

Rowing friends from Newport, Llanion and Wisemans Bridge joined the crew on Saturday for the second leg, with five rowing boats, a jet-ski and a support RIB heading up the river, stopping at Carmarthen Quay for a welcome refreshment break.

On their return to the club a quick weather review revealed a weather window which allowed the crew to row over to Pembrokeshire on Sunday. With only the ladies crew feeling up for the final leg, it was necessary for them to put in a double shift, rowing to Pembrokeshire and back home to Towy Boat club.

After almost 6 hours at sea, the ladies returned home safely to proud applause from fellow club members, who were surprised at their speedy return.

Team captain Nic Thomas thanked all those who took part: “Saturday’s row had by far the biggest turn out,” she told The Herald. “It was wonderful to share the experience with so many well-wishers.

“With the whole Celtic Challenge crew, support vessel, support rib and rowers working together as one team, it has certainly been a tremendous Alternative Challenge. We couldn’t have had better support, they have been awesome. I can’t thank them enough for all they have done”

“The ladies were superb. Having rowed every leg and putting in extra shifts on the ergs, they each rowed over 50miles over the weekend.

“I am tremendously proud of the crew for completing the Challenge despite the weather playing havoc with our plans. It has been a great rowing weekend, made more special as we were joined by so many supporters and well wishes on route. It has been an honour to share this epic adventure with them.

“We have countless heartfelt thank-yous to make to all those who have supported us from the onset of training to rowing the Alternative Celtic Challenge. It wouldn’t have been possible without this support, we can’t thank them enough.”

The crew, triumphant in their efforts despite the countless blisters, are looking towards planning for the postponed race in 2017.

 

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Community

New town map unveiled in Fishguard

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A NEW town map has been installed in the heart of Fishguard to help residents and visitors discover more of what the area has to offer.

The map, created by Visit Fishguard & Goodwick’s in-house graphic designer, has been placed on the Abergwaun Hotel tunnel, near Offshore Surfwear’s new shop.

The group said it was “incredibly proud” of the finished result and thanked the building owner for allowing the map to be installed on the premises.

Visit Fishguard & Goodwick is now hoping to create a similar map for Goodwick and is asking for help from a centrally located building owner who may be willing to host it.

Anyone who can help, or knows of a suitable location, is being asked to get in touch with Visit Fishguard & Goodwick.

 

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Community

Tenby Summer Spectacular cancelled amid council row over harbour access

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Organisers say popular charity events cannot safely go ahead without clear powers to control crowds

TENBY ROUND TABLE has announced that this summer’s Tenby Summer Spectacular events have been cancelled until further notice amid a dispute with Pembrokeshire County Council over crowd control at the harbour.

The events, which were due to take place on Sunday, August 16 and Sunday, August 30, have been a major feature of Tenby’s summer calendar for decades, drawing large crowds to the harbour for entertainment, food, drink and fireworks.

In a statement, Tenby Round Table said the decision had been made “with enormous sadness” and claimed it had been forced on organisers because of unresolved issues over the safe management of pedestrian access.

The organisation said it needed the council’s Public Realm department to use statutory powers to temporarily restrict pedestrian access through the event area when capacity is reached.

Organisers said the matter had first been raised with the council in September 2025 and again formally in writing in May 2026.

They said volunteers had attended meetings, commissioned professional health and safety consultants and worked on Event Management Plans, but claimed the council had still not provided a clear answer.

Tenby Round Table said: “PCC’s Public Realm department has had nine months to answer one question on safe and controlled access to the harbour. It has not done so.”

The group also alleged that recent written responses from the council contained factual inaccuracies and misleading statements about the relevant legislation.

It added that the council’s legal advice was understood to be provisional and still under internal review.

The cancellation is currently described as provisional, with organisers giving the council a final deadline of June 25 to provide what they describe as a clear, accurate and legally grounded answer.

Tenby Round Table said that if this is provided, it will do everything possible to reinstate the events.

The group said the Summer Spectacular had raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for local charities, sports teams, community groups and worthy individuals since it began.

It said the cancellation would be a devastating blow to those who benefit from the funds raised.

The statement added that organisers are still working with Dyfed-Powys Police and other relevant authorities ahead of a council licensing committee meeting in July, which is expected to consider whether the event licence should be renewed, amended or withdrawn.

The Herald has asked Pembrokeshire County Council for comment.

 

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Charity

Sea shanties and street food bring crowds to Cardigan RNLI festival

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SUNSHINE, sea shanties and street food helped draw hundreds of visitors to Cardigan RNLI Lifeboat Station on Saturday (Jun 20).

The station’s Sea Shanty and Street Food Festival brought together families, supporters and visitors from across the region for a day of maritime music, food and community spirit.

Traditional sea shanty groups performed throughout the event, with songs echoing around the lifeboat station, while street food vendors served a range of refreshments.

The event also gave visitors the chance to learn more about the lifesaving work carried out by the RNLI and its volunteer crews.

Cardigan RNLI thanked the performers, food vendors, volunteers, sponsors and supporters who helped make the day a success.

Bruce Harris, Launch Authority and event organiser, said: “It was wonderful to see so many people come together to support the station, enjoy the entertainment, and celebrate our maritime heritage.

“The atmosphere throughout the day was fantastic, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who attended, performed, volunteered, and contributed to such a memorable event.”

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts.

The charity operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands.

Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved more than 146,700 lives.

 

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