News

Crowds praised for Ironman support

Published

13 years ago

September 13, 2013

THE 2013 Ironman has been described as a wonderful day by the County Council’s cabinet member for culture, sport and leisure, Elwyn Morse.
Councillor Morse was full of praise for the event and said: “The only problem now is we have to wait 12 months for the next one.”
This was the third straight year that Pembrokeshire has hosted the event and although the weather wasn’t great, crowds lined the course to cheer on the athletes.
He went on: “The people of Pembrokeshire have taken Ironman Wales to their heart. They turned out in their legions to support the wonderful competitors.”
The men’s event was won by Scotsman; Scott Neyedli who completed the gruelling course in a time of nine hours, nine minutes and ten seconds completing a 2.5 mile swim, a 112-mile cycle and a full marathon.
The first lady to cross the finish line at Tenby’s Esplanade was Lucy Gossage, who beat last year’s winner Regula Rohrbach of Switzerland by 25 minutes.
This win is Lucy’s second in Ironman competitions after the Brit also won the Ironman UK event in August. The winning lady was gushing in her praise for the spectators. She described it as amazing. She said that she had never seen such wonderful support for an Ironman event before.
Although the event was staged in Tenby, the course was spread across Pembrokeshire and athletes had to navigate their way through Narberth, Saundersfoot and Pembroke.
The athletes set off from the shore at Tenby before making their way through the town to collect their bikes at the Rectory car park.
The ride took them through south Pembrokeshire, including an exhausting climb up Saundersfoot’s St Brides Hill.
Those who managed to survive the opening two stages then had to pick themselves up for four laps around Tenby for the 26-mile run.
Just as the athletes entered the water the rain poured down, it stopped for a brief moment only to start again during the bike race.
Heavy overnight rain made the town’s roads wet and slippery making conditions tough for the cycling leg of the race.
It is one of the toughest events to win and tests the endurance of those involved. Athletes will push themselves to the edge just to get over the finish line.
A 1675 strong field took part in the event, over 40 countries were represented and there were even 90 athletes from Pembrokeshire.
Those who finished the course can take great pride in their efforts having swum, cycled and run for most of the day.
It is estimated that the total spend for Ironman Wales in Pembrokeshire is just over £4 million.
Shops and businesses were booming as crowds flocked from all over the world to cheer on the athletes.
Councillor Morse added: “One hotelier I spoke to was taking bookings three months ahead of the event by competitors coming to train on the course and he could have sold out his establishment three times over during the actual weekend.”
For some, training will have already started for next year and the crowds will once again be looking forward to the event.
With the benefits that Ironman 2013 has brought to the county, it is likely that we will see the event return to Pembrokeshire in 2014.

Charity

Home-Start Cymru highlights vital support for parents during Maternal Mental Health Week

Published

41 seconds ago

May 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

CHARITY Home-Start Cymru is calling for greater awareness and support for parents facing mental health challenges during the early years of family life.

The appeal comes as Maternal Mental Health Week shines a spotlight on the emotional wellbeing of mothers and parents across Wales.

The charity is sharing the story of Naomi Durham, a mother of two who previously received support from Home-Start Cymru.

Naomi said that, while she appeared to be coping, she was privately struggling with postnatal depression, health issues and the pressure of raising two young children alone.

She said: “On the outside, I tried to look like I was coping, but inside things were falling apart.

“I was struggling with postnatal depression, managing my health, and raising two young children on my own. For a long time, it felt like nobody really knew how to help me.

“But when I was matched with a Home-Start Cymru volunteer, everything began to change. For the first time in a long while, I felt like someone truly saw me and listened to me, and that support made all the difference.”

Home-Start Cymru said Naomi’s experience showed the impact that early intervention and compassionate, community-based support can have on families.

The charity provides volunteer-led, one-to-one support for families with young children across Wales. Parents are matched with trained volunteers who offer practical and emotional support, helping to reduce isolation, build resilience and improve wellbeing.

A spokesperson for Home-Start Cymru said: “Too many parents feel they have to struggle alone, particularly during the early years when the pressures can be overwhelming.

“Naomi’s story shows just how important it is for families to feel seen, heard, and supported. Our volunteers play a crucial role in offering that lifeline.”

Maternal Mental Health Week is used to raise awareness of conditions such as postnatal depression and to encourage parents to seek help.

Home-Start Cymru is urging anyone who may be struggling to reach out and access support.

News

Baby in critical condition after Fishguard emergency

Published

28 minutes ago

May 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Teenagers arrested as police investigate circumstances

A BABY remains in hospital in a critical but stable condition after being taken from Fishguard by air ambulance following a medical emergency at a property.

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers received information that the baby had been taken to hospital in the early evening of Saturday (May 2).

Police were formally informed of the incident at around 10:10pm the same evening.

An investigation into the circumstances is underway.

A man and a woman, both aged eighteen, were arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

They have since been released on conditional bail while enquiries continue.

No further details have been released at this stage.

Entertainment

Hubberston Girls exhibition launches new space at Waterfront Gallery

Published

1 hour ago

May 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A NEW exhibition exploring memories of growing up on a council estate has opened at the Waterfront Gallery in Milford Haven.

Artist Lynn Stuart is launching the gallery’s new exhibition space with her solo show, Hubberston Girls, which runs until Saturday, May 30.

The exhibition features a deeply personal series of works drawn and painted on brown paper. The material was chosen for its connection to everyday memories, including lunch bags and magazines wrapped in paper.

Once oiled, the paper becomes semi-transparent, allowing paint to be applied to the reverse and creating layered, intimate images.

The Waterfront Gallery is extending its opening hours for the exhibition and will be open Monday to Saturday, from 10:30am to 4:00pm.

A private view will be held on Thursday, May 14, from 3:00pm to 6:00pm, and all are welcome.

The gallery is based in the Old Sail Loft on Discovery Quay, Milford Waterfront, Milford Haven. It is one of south west Wales’s leading art galleries, a registered charity, and home to the Wales Contemporary annual competition.

The gallery is run by artist volunteers who exhibit there regularly.