Community
Lifeguard helps deliver training in Philippines
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LIFEGUARD trainers from the RNLI have travelled to the Philippines to begin delivering a lifesaving tuition course, aiming to help save hundreds of people from drowning there each year.
Chris Rigby, from Pembrokeshire, is one of two of the charity’s instructors to travel to the Camotes Islands, where they will spend five days delivering lifeguard training to 26 candidates, before spending an additional three days teaching ‘train the trainer’ skills to ten of them.
Chris travelled to the Philippines last week, ready to start the lifesaving training programme from March 17. The candidates represent a variety of organisations across the Philippines – from lifesaving clubs and Coastguard departments to fire service, police and local government – but all have a shared need; to be able to save lives in water.
The course, which has been specially designed by the RNLI, will cover the essentials of lifeguarding, including recognising when a person is in distress; how to use rescue equipment; beach surveillance; risk assessments, and rescuing and treating a casualty.
After the training, the candidates will return to their respective areas of the Philippines better equipped to save lives from drowning. Those who have received the ‘train the trainer’ tuition will also have the skills to share their learning with others, so they can continue growing and developing their organisations into the future.
Steve Wills, the RNLI’s international development manager, explains: “Drowning is sadly a common occurrence in the Philippines. Many drowning deaths are preventable if there are trained lifesavers on hand to respond quickly and take the right action to carry out rescues and save lives.
“The course our trainers will deliver covers the absolute essentials of lifeguarding. Our priority is that we leave the candidates better equipped with knowledge and skills to save lives and, importantly, carry on developing the lifesaving abilities of their own organisations into the future.”
Before starting the 7000 mile journey Chris Rigby, South Wales RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor, said: “It’s a real honour to join the RNLI’s International Team and being able to help tackle the global drowning epidemic. I am eager to make the 7000 mile journey to the Philippines and put the lifesaving and training skills the RNLI have taught and equipped me with into practise in what will be a completely different environment compared to my day-to-day work in Pembrokeshire.”
In a planned approach to tackling the estimated 400,000 drownings that happen worldwide each year, the RNLI is also helping develop lifesaving services in other countries where drowning is prevalent, including Bangladesh, Uganda, Cameroon, Tanzania, Senegal and the Gambia.
The charity is focusing on helping other organisations to help themselves by providing a range of services such as training, safety education, and guidance on search and rescue and flood resilience.
For further information see www.rnli.org/international.
Community
Cresswell Quay conservation consultation launch backed
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A PUBLIC consultation is to be held on potentially making one of south Pembrokeshire’s most scenic estuarial villages, home to a CAMRA award-winning pub, a conservation area.
At the July 24 meeting of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, members backed a public consultation being launched for potentially designating Cresswell Quay as a Conservation Area.
Cresswell Quay, home to the Cresselly Arms, is “one of the most scenic villages within the National Park and is highly significant as a very early coal port, retaining several buildings of architectural importance,” a report for members stated.
There are some 500 conservation areas, defined as “areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance” across Wales, 14 in the national park.
The report for Park members added: “The designation of a conservation area at Cresswell Quay would recognise the special architectural and historic interest of the village and would ensure that future development either preserves or enhances the character and appearance of the conservation area.
“The designation would introduce controls over the demolition of buildings which would require conservation area consent and affords greater protection of works to trees. Officers consider that part of the special interest of Cresswell Quay is the relationship between the village, the estuary and its wooded setting, which is unusual in a Pembrokeshire context.”
The consultation on the conservation status has been backed, rather than simply be designated in-house as Cresswell Quay is the home of the Buildings Conservation Officer; the consultation being launched “to avoid any potential conflict of interest or wider public misconception”.
It will be undertaken by Linda Jones of Babb Architects, Whitland and Emily Holder, Conservation Assistant, supported by members of the Strategic Policy team.
Initial engagement with key landowners and the three community councils of the area has already taken place, and a public drop-in event is expected to take place in early August.
Further information on the consultation will also promoted at events including the Pembrokeshire County Show and Martletwy Show.
At the national park meeting, member Cllr Simon Hancock expressed his surprise the ‘Quay was not already in a conservation area.
The eight-week consultation is expected to be launched on July 29, finishing on September 23.
Earlier this year the Cresselly Arms won the CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) pub of the year award for the whole of Wales.
The Cresselly Arms averaged 89 points out of a maximum 120 after surveys were conducted across the country by members of other branches.
Community
Public reminded to stay away from Ward’s Yard and Criterion Quay
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THE PORT of Milford Haven is reminding members of the public to stay away from Ward’s Yard in Milford Haven and Criterion Quay (sometimes known as the offshore jetty) in Pembroke Dock due to concerns over public safety.
Despite significant security measures, people continue to access the sites illegally, ignoring and sometimes damaging the onsite signage and fences.
Niall Yeomans, Head of Health, Safety and Security at the Port of Milford Haven said: “Safety is our key priority. Members of the public are continuously putting themselves and members of our team at risk of serious harm by trespassing in these areas.”
“Both Ward’s Yard and Criterion Quay are unsafe for public access. They are isolated areas next to deep water and are susceptible to slips, trips and falls.”
Both sites are owned by the Port of Milford Haven and are private property. Anyone found onsite without consent is trespassing, and any criminal damage could result in prosecution.
Anyone who sees any suspicious activity at Ward’s Yard or Criterion Quay is asked to contact Dyfed Powys Police on 101 urgently.
Community
Port sponsors water safety programme for Pembrokeshire pupils
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OVER 200 children from coastal schools in Pembrokeshire have learnt important water safety skills in a project sponsored by the Port of Milford Haven.
Dale-based water sports provider, Windswept CIC, has been running the Swim Safe programme for Year 5 and 6 pupils from St Francis Catholic Primary School, Milford Haven Community Primary School, Neyland Community School, Broad Haven Primary School and Cleddau Reach School over the past few months. Swim Safe was started by the RNLI and Swim England and consists of a teacher-led school session with materials and lesson plans provided, followed by a beach session covering a wide range of topics including what to do in an emergency situation, survival techniques and recognising risks associated with water.
Director of Windswept, Sarah Bagley, said “This is our second season conducting Swim Safe training to schools in Pembrokeshire, supported by the Port of Milford Haven. Swim Safe is such a great initiative and is so important for all young children to equip them with life saving skills prior to the summer holidays. We’d like to thank the Port of Milford Haven once again for supporting this great cause!”
Sara Richards, PR and Communications Executive at the Port of Milford Haven, attended a session with Cleddau Reach School from Llangwm and commented “Living near the sea means it’s vital that young people know what to do in an emergency and are aware of the risks associated with the water. We want everyone to enjoy the coastline as much as possible this summer armed with the safety tips that they will have learnt with Windswept.”
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