Community

Surfers Against Sewage scoop local hero award

Published

11 years ago

March 31, 2014

THE Pembrokeshire representatives of a national environmental charity have scooped the 2014 National Park Local Hero Award in recognition of their continued efforts to protect the Pembrokeshire Coast’s oceans and beaches.

Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) were presented with the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Award at the Radio Pembrokeshire Local Hero Awards on February 27, following their tireless work to keep beaches clean and oceans safe, together with their drive to recruit more volunteers to help carry out this important work.

National Park Authority Chairman Cllr Mike James said: “This dedicated group has not only set an example to others by collecting numerous bags of litter from many of our beaches, but have strived to educate people about the negative effects such pollution can have on delicate environments such as those on the Pembrokeshire Coast.

“It is a pleasure to recognise the hard work of Surfers Against Sewage, particularly as their continued support has been vital following the recent storms. Groups such as this ensure that our beaches are a clean and welcoming environment for local people and visitors alike.”

The local SAS work in 2013 began with a New Year’s beach clean at Newgale in January, which saw a staggering 200kg of marine litter collected in 40 bin bags.

This was the first of many beach cleans, which followed the SAS campaign calendar, including the ‘Hard to Reach Beach Clean’ by canoe and kayak and the ‘Big Spring Beach Clean’.

In addition to collecting and disposing of beach rubbish properly, the local team also took part in the ‘Return to Offender’ campaign, which saw 50 items of identifiable marine litter returned to the companies that produced them, accompanied by a campaign challenge.

In April 2013 the local reps joined their fellow SAS counterparts from all over the UK in North Devon for a training weekend, where local SAS representatives delivered a presentation on their work in West Wales, highlighting region specific issues and praising coastal communities for their work to protect and enhance their coastal environments.

The work wasn’t limited to the spring, however, as September 2013 saw over 100kgs of rubbish collected at Whitesands as part of the Cold Water Beach Clean Series, a nationwide tour funded by The Crown Estate and Finisterre. Pembrokeshire SAS representative Jetske Germing added: “Whilst Surfers Against Sewage also works hard on wider issues such as water quality and climate change, the beach cleans offer a great way to get communities involved in caring for their local area. The National Park Local Hero Award gives recognition to all the volunteers who helped care for their beaches.”

Surfers Against Sewage will be holding a series of beach cleans at Solva (Gwadn), Newgale and Pen y Cwm between March 28-31 as part of the national Big Spring Beach Clean event.

You can find out timings on www.sas.org.uk/events/ or get in touch with Jetske on [email protected] to find out when your next local beach clean is, or to offer to volunteer to organise your own SAS beach clean!

Community

Milford Haven and Neyland Police issue appeal for missing man

Published

4 hours ago

April 25, 2025

Tom Sinclair

POLICE are appealing for information to help locate a 54-year-old man who has been reported missing from the Milford Haven area.

Neil is described as being around 6ft 2in tall with a shaved head. He has tattoos on his arms and one of his fingers, and sometimes wears glasses.

He was last seen on Friday afternoon (Apr 26) wearing a black Superdry hoodie, ripped jeans, and orange and black Nike Air trainers. Neil is believed to be on foot.

Anyone with information that could help is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police: 🖥️ | Online portal
📧 | [email protected]
📞 | Call 101, quoting reference 262 of April 26.

Community

Fire service delivers vital kit to Ukraine

Published

9 hours ago

April 25, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Wales joins UK’s largest firefighting aid convoy

MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) has taken part in the UK’s largest ever convoy delivering vital firefighting equipment to Ukraine, joining 17 other Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs) from across the country.

The convoy, coordinated by FIRE AID and supported by the UK Government, left the UK in early April. It travelled through France, Germany and Poland, delivering over 30 fire service vehicles and more than 15,000 items of equipment to support Ukrainian firefighters on the front line of the ongoing war.

Since the Russian invasion in 2022, UK fire services have donated 119 vehicles and over 200,000 pieces of equipment to Ukraine. Each participating service ensured local needs were met before donating surplus kit.

Watch Manager Rob Kershaw represented MAWWFRS on the convoy. He said:
“It’s been a privilege to be part of this convoy and to represent both FIRE AID and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.
We received invaluable support and assistance from fire and police services across every country we passed through. Their help in coordinating, escorting, and hosting the convoy was outstanding.”

Chief Fire Officer Roger Thomas KFSM added:
“MAWWFRS is proud to support our colleagues in Ukraine by donating and delivering essential equipment.
The events in Ukraine have deeply affected the fire and rescue community, and this convoy is a demonstration of our ongoing commitment to helping those still working under extreme conditions.”

The donated equipment will support firefighters in Ukraine who continue to operate in war zones to save lives and protect property—often at great personal risk. Since the conflict began, 100 Ukrainian firefighters have been killed and 431 injured. A total of 411 fire stations and 1,700 firefighting vehicles have been destroyed.

Community

Trefin to host VE Day 80th anniversary celebrations

Published

10 hours ago

April 25, 2025

Tom Sinclair

TREFIN and surrounding communities will mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day with a full day of commemorative events on Thursday, May 8—culminating in the lighting of a coastal beacon.

The local programme closely mirrors events happening across the UK to honour Victory in Europe Day, marking the end of World War II in Europe on May 8, 1945.

The day will begin at 9:00am in the centre of Trefin with the reading of the VE Day 80 Proclamation, Together We Stand, followed by the raising of a special VE Day 80 flag to unite the nation in remembrance of those who sacrificed so much during the war.

At 12 noon, in Trefin Square, piper LCpl Spencer of Cawdor Barracks will perform Celebratum, a tune specially composed for the occasion.

At 6:30pm, Llanrhian Church bell will ring out in unison with churches and cathedrals across the UK. Simultaneously in Trefin Square, the “Lamp Light of Peace” will be blessed, and a handbell performance by local adults and children will take place. Participants are encouraged to wear wartime-style clothing, with prizes awarded for the best costumes.

Evening celebrations will then move to The Ship Inn, where a fish and chip supper will be served (advance booking and payment required). A display of wartime memorabilia will also be available to view.

At around 8:00pm, the community will proceed from The Ship Inn to Penlac field, overlooking the coast, for the continuation of the festivities. Attendees will be invited to sample the official Women’s Institute VE Day 80 Orange and Ginger Cake. Warm clothing is recommended.

There will be music from the wartime era, and local choir Côr y Felin will lead a singalong of well-known songs from the period. Representatives from each decade since the end of the war will read the VE Day 80 Global Tribute, joining communities across the world. A minute’s silence will be held in memory of those who did not return home, followed by a bugler performing the Last Post and Reveille. The piper will then play Flowers of the Forest.

Just before the lighting of the beacon at 9:30pm, the community will join nearly 1,000 choirs across the UK in singing I Vow to Thee, My Country. The coastal beacon is part of the official chain being lit across the country and worldwide (in respective time zones). The “Lamplight of Peace” will also be lit in solidarity with lanterns around the globe.

Those wishing to continue the celebrations can return to The Ship Inn afterwards.

Organisers are encouraging all attendees to dress in wartime-themed attire throughout the day, with a prize for the best-dressed individual.

The events are being coordinated by the Gwelliant Trefin Improvement Group (GTI) and Llanrhian Connected Community. All are welcome.