News
Wurf and Gossage win close Ironman
AUSTRALIA’s Cameron Wurf and Great Britain’s Lucy Gossage were the Ironman Champions in Tenby yesterday (Sept 10).
The town welcomed over 10,000 visitors for the excitement and thrill of one of the world’s toughest races.
Athletes from 45 countries took part in what is one of Pembrokeshire’s biggest sporting events.
The 2017 instalment of this epic test of human edurance featured some of the world’s best professional Ironman athletes competing alongside close to 2200 age group athletes
Wurf, who finished in just over nine hours, was only eighth after the swim but an excellent bike race put him up to the top spot with a time of 5:53:22.
That put him nine minutes ahead of Britain’s Philip Graves, who eventually went on to finish second.
Wurf had a great run but was kept on his toes as Graves, and Germany’s Christian Kramer stuck by the Australian.
After 3.8km of the run, Wurf held a nine minute lead but Graves and Kramer brought that down to just under seven minutes after 18.6km.
Kramer continued to eat away at Wurf’s lead and brought it down to just under three minutes but he was unable to sustain his challenge.
Graves then re-took second place from Kramer but Wurf extended his lead to four minutes with seven kilometres still to go.
Wurf held on and won the event by two and a half minutes with Kramer eventually finishing seven minutes behind Wurf.
Croatia’s Andrej Vistica finished strongly to claim fourth place and GB athlete Matthew Leeman completed the top five.
In the Women’s event, Lucy Gossage, who won Ironman Wales in 2013, again crossed the line in first place with a time of 10:11:20.
She pulled out an excellent lead to finish nearly 24 minutes ahead of second placed Parys Edwards.
Third place went to GB’s Kate Comber who finished with a time of 10:44:02.
Gossage held a 16 minute lead at the start of the run after a great ride on the bike and she maintained her lead for a comfortable win.
Comber had finished the swim in first place while Gossage was down in tenth place but an excellent changeover put her third at the start of the bike ride.
Gossage then led the rest of the race for her third win of the year, having previously won the Ironman UK event in July and the Ironman 70.3 in Staffordshire in June.
Ahead of the event, it was announced that the Ironman event had been secured for another five years.
Tenby has been the starting and finishing point of phenomenally popular annual triathlon since 2011, with the current Race Director, Lisa Dent, calling the location one of ‘the most stunning courses I’ve ever seen’.
News
Police appeal after Nerf gun bullet hit baby
POLICE in Narberth are appealing for information after a disturbing incident on Kiln Park Road on November 6.
A mother and her baby were walking along the road when a foam bullet was fired at them from a Nerf gun.
The projectile struck the baby.
According to the mother, a dark blue hatchback car pulled up beside them before the gun was fired. The vehicle then sped off, heading either toward Narberth town or the Pemblewin roundabout.
The incident occurred just before 5:45pm.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police using the following details:
- Online: Submit information
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 101 (Quote reference: 24000944199)
News
Pembrokeshire celebrates 60% Gigabit capable connectivity milestone
GIGABIT Capable broadband is now in place for more than half of the county with aspirations from Swansea Bay City Deal’s Digital Infrastructure Programme for the county to be fully connected to better broadband.
Pembrokeshire County Council said it is proud to announce a significant milestone in its journey to better broadband. 60% of homes and businesses in the county can now access full fibre broadband compared to 5% in 2019.
This achievement is the culmination of a concerted effort by various stakeholders, including Alternative Network providers (AltNets) Ogi, Voneus, Dragon Wifi as well as Openreach and dedicated local authority’s Digital Champions, who have continuously engaged with communities to ensure they are aware of the benefits of being better connected and the ways in which they can make that happen.
Funded by Swansea Bay City Deal’s Digital Infrastructure Programme, the Digital Champions in place at Pembrokeshire County Council are continuing to assess the needs of people locally and advise on the options available to them to help improve their broadband. This paired with the strong relationships being built with infrastructure supplier and mobile network operators, means that Pembrokeshire is well placed to see further increases to this milestone in the very near future.
Cllr Paul Miller: Deputy Leader, Cabinet Member for Place, the Region and Climate Change, said: “Thanks to the hard work of all the stakeholders and this local authority’s Digital Champions, we’re thrilled to see Pembrokeshire reach 60 per cent broadband coverage.
“This is a testament to their dedication to bridging the digital divide and ensuring all our residents have access to the critical tools they need to succeed in today’s economy. Pembrokeshire County Council is committed to supporting this type of innovative programmes, and I look forward to seeing Pembrokeshire reach even greater levels of connectivity.”
Looking at the broader picture, Pembrokeshire’s digital team have been working closely with the UK Government’s Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT) and the Welsh Government on funding streams, helping facilitate a high level of support for digital infrastructure projects, whilst empowering communities to actively advocate for improved connectivity in their areas.
Much of the behind the scenes work within Pembrokeshire County Council has also been an integral part of reaching this milestone, with close working relationships with supportive community and county councillors, planning, infrastructure, highways departments within Pembrokeshire County Council and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority all contributing to the successful delivery of projects.
Pembrokeshire’s rural communities and towns, including the county town of Haverfordwest, Milford Haven, Pembroke, Pembroke Dock, and Fishguard, have benefited immensely from these efforts, with the county’s journey towards digital inclusion being far from over. But reaching the 60% gigabit capable milestone marks a significant step forward in realising the vision of a connected and prosperous future for the region.
Climate
Keir Starmer ‘spotted’ in Cardigan for climate action
SHOPPERS and visitors in Cardigan were taken by surprise recently when Keir Starmer—or someone who bore a striking resemblance to him—made an appearance at a climate action stall. The stall, set up in the town centre, invited people to write to their Members of the Senedd urging them to support an international Fossil Fuel Treaty.
‘Keir’ led the way, being the first to post his letter in a special postbox on the stall, which was part of a Global Day of Action for climate justice.
Slow progress at COP29
Organiser Philippa Gibson, a retired Welsh teacher, explained the urgency behind the event. She said:
“The COP29 meeting in Azerbaijan this week is moving at a snail’s pace. Oil lobbyists and petro-states like Azerbaijan have overwhelming influence, blocking serious action on reducing fossil fuel dependency. But ordinary people across the world are saying enough is enough—it’s time for a fossil-free future.
“The climate crisis is already affecting Welsh communities. Rising sea levels are eroding our coastlines, while extreme weather endangers lives, homes, and food security. The economic shockwaves are being felt everywhere.”
Wales urged to lead the way
Physics teacher David Grace, another volunteer at the stall, highlighted the global stakes:
“These threats are even more severe for Pacific Island states, some of the most climate-vulnerable nations in the world. They are leading the Fossil Fuel Treaty campaign because their survival depends on it. Wales has a duty to stand with them and support their demands for a rapid global transition away from fossil fuels.”
The organisers noted that Wales has an opportunity to lead on climate action by endorsing the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. Thirteen nations, the World Health Organisation, the European Parliament, and thousands of organisations worldwide have already joined the growing movement.
‘Strong support’ in Cardigan
The stall drew significant local support, with many residents signing a petition and posting letters or postcards to their Members of the Senedd. The postbox quickly filled up as people expressed their backing for the Treaty.
A campaigner from Parents for Future, who was helping at the stall, stressed the importance of action:
“By endorsing this treaty, the Welsh government would align with existing policies and commitments. As part of a global effort, Wales could set an example, showing that early action is key to preventing climate disaster. This is vital for the sake of all children, both here in Wales and in more vulnerable countries.”
The event highlighted a growing desire among communities to push for urgent climate action. As part of the day’s activities, ‘Keir’ left a memorable mark—not just as a leader, but as a symbol of the change people want to see.
(Keir’s mask was created by artist Bim Mason.)
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