Fire crews have been dealing with several wildfires in and around the Elan Valley since Sunday

FIREFIGHTERS are continuing to tackle wildfires near Claerwen Dam after a series of fires broke out in and around the Elan Valley area.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said crews have been responding to several incidents since Sunday (Apr 26), with firefighting operations still ongoing near the dam.

Members of the public are being urged to avoid the area while emergency services remain at the scene.

The fire service said keeping roads and access routes clear is vital to allow fire appliances and other emergency vehicles to reach the affected areas safely.

Local residents have also been advised to keep windows and doors closed if there is thick smoke nearby.

The cause of the fires has not been confirmed.

Emergency crews remain in attendance and further updates are expected as the incident develops.

Cover image:

Big blaze: Fire crews at the scene (Pic: Rhayader Fire Station)

HISTORIC racing car Babs has returned to Pendine Sands to mark 100 years since Welsh driver JG Parry-Thomas broke the world land speed record on the Carmarthenshire beach.

More than 2,000 people gathered on Monday (Apr 27) to see the famous car back on the sand where it made motoring history in April 1926.

Parry-Thomas, driving the 27-litre aero-engined car, became the first person to break the 170mph barrier. Over two runs at Pendine, he recorded speeds of 169.30mph and 171.02mph, giving him an average of 170mph and taking the world record.

The achievement came during a golden era for Pendine Sands, when the beach became one of the most important locations in the world for attempts on the land speed record.

A century of history

In 1925, Malcolm Campbell had set a record at Pendine by reaching 150mph. That was beaten the following year by Henry Segrave at Southport, before Parry-Thomas brought the record back to Wales with his run in Babs.

His success was short-lived. In January 1927, Campbell reclaimed the title with a speed just under 175mph.

Two months later, Parry-Thomas returned to Pendine in an attempt to win the record back, but he was killed when Babs overturned at high speed.

Following the crash, the car was buried in the dunes at Pendine, where it remained for 42 years. It was recovered in 1969 and later restored by racing engineer Owen Wyn Owens, who spent 16 years bringing the vehicle back to life at his garage in Capel Curig.

Family tribute

Members of Parry-Thomas’s family were among those present for the centenary event.

His relatives were also presented with an award as he was inducted into the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame’s Roll of Honour, recognising his place in Welsh sporting history.

Family members said it was moving to see Babs back on the sands and to witness the public recognition of a man whose achievements helped put Wales at the centre of early motor racing history.

Babs was driven on two laps of the beach by Geraint Owen, son of the engineer who recovered and restored the car.

The vehicle is now normally displayed at the Pendine Museum of Speed, close to the beach where both its greatest triumph and its darkest moment took place.

DOG owners are being reminded that seasonal restrictions on some of Pembrokeshire’s most popular beaches come back into force from Friday (May 1).

The restrictions run each year from May 1 until September 30 and apply to a number of beaches across the county during the busiest months of the visitor season.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s current guidance states that some beaches are subject to either full or partial dog bans during the summer period. Maps showing where dogs can and cannot be walked are available online and are also displayed at the affected beaches.

The council says the restrictions are in place primarily to protect the interests of bathers and other beach users during the summer season, when beaches are at their busiest.

There are only two beaches in Pembrokeshire where a total summer dog ban applies.

From Friday (May 1), dogs are not allowed on Tenby North Beach or Whitesands, St Davids, until the restrictions are lifted again on October 1.

Partial bans are in place at Lydstep, Newgale beach and promenade, Saundersfoot beach and promenade, Tenby Castle and South Beach, Amroth beach and promenade, Poppit Sands, Broad Haven North, and Dale.

Visit Pembrokeshire also lists dog restriction maps for Coppet Hall, which has previously been described by the council as a voluntary restriction area.

Check signs before walking

THE restrictions do not mean dogs are banned from the whole of every beach listed under the partial ban.

In many cases, parts of the beach remain available for dog walking, but owners are urged to check the signs and maps before heading onto the sand.

The signs at each location show the areas where dogs are banned, areas where dogs are allowed, and areas where dogs must be kept on leads.

At Tenby, the rules affect several beach areas. Tenby North Beach is subject to a full seasonal ban, while Tenby South Beach and Castle Beach are covered by partial restrictions.

At Newgale, the restriction also includes the promenade and pebble bank. At Saundersfoot and Amroth, the restrictions include the promenade areas.

Poppit Sands, Broad Haven North, Dale and Lydstep are also covered by partial seasonal restrictions, with mapped areas showing where dogs are allowed.

Majority of beaches still dog-friendly

DOG owners are also being reminded that the majority of Pembrokeshire’s beaches remain dog-friendly throughout the year.

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority says dogs are welcome on more than 50 beaches in the county, although some have seasonal restrictions or restricted areas between May and the end of September.

Guide dogs are exempt from the restrictions.

The current council list of affected beaches is:

Total dog bans from May 1 to September 30

Tenby North Beach
Whitesands, St Davids

Partial dog bans from May 1 to September 30

Lydstep
Newgale beach and promenade
Saundersfoot beach and promenade
Tenby Castle and South Beach
Amroth beach and promenade
Poppit Sands
Broad Haven North
Dale

Additional mapped restriction

Coppet Hall — listed by Visit Pembrokeshire among the dog restriction beach maps and previously described by the council as voluntary.

Enforcement over summer

Pembrokeshire County Council says leisure staff enforce the bans throughout the summer months.

Breaches of the byelaws can lead to enforcement action, and the council has previously said the maximum penalty is £500.

The council has also reminded dog owners that they must clean up after their pets on all Pembrokeshire beaches, whether or not a seasonal restriction applies.

In recent years, the council has said officers would focus on education in the first instance, with warnings issued for first offences before fixed penalty notices were considered for repeat breaches or failure to leave a restricted area when asked.

Owners are being urged to check the beach signs, follow the marked zones, keep dogs under control, and clean up after them.

The restrictions will remain in place until Wednesday, September 30. Dogs will be welcome back on the restricted beaches from Thursday, October 1.