News

Ironman opens up entry to children

Published

7 years ago

April 4, 2014

IT’S ONE of the most arduous sporting events in the world which attracts competitors from 40 countries and more than 10,000 spectators, as well as generating around £4m for the local economy each year.

Now the Ironman Wales event, which begins on Tenby’s iconic North Beach, is broadening its appeal by developing the competition for children. With the adults event comprising a 2.4 mile-swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26-mile marathon, all without a break, the children’s competition isn’t nearly as gruelling. Children as young as three can take part in the Ironkids run which covers distances from 500m to 2,500m for children aged up to 14.

Coming to Pembrokeshire for a fourth consecutive year in September, organisers say the Ironkids event is aimed at encouraging youngsters to lead active and healthy lifestyles. Spokeswoman Waveney Thomson said the event in Tenby had attracted a huge interest from young people, many of whom have been inspired as spectators.

“In Pembrokeshire, we’re changing the event slightly to add a bit more to the atmosphere, bringing the children’s event into the town, where before we did a splash and a run on just on the beach,” she said.

She said it follows the success of the Ironkid event in Bolton, which attracted a record-breaking 2,000 competitors last year.

“It is our fastest growing event,” she added.

“That became the world’s largest Ironkids running event. There is obviously the demand out there and with a huge national drive to include children in sports activities,and tackle obesity, the Ironman event seems to have been hugely inspiring.”

The adult event’s trio of strength sapping challenges pushes even the most accomplished of athletes to their limits. Competitor Lowri Phillips from Cilgerran, took part in the 2012 event. The 33-year old, who also took part in an iron distance event in Copenhagen said Ironman Wales is considered one of the world’s toughest courses.

“I can definitely vouch for that as it’s probably the hardest race I’ve ever done. It’s also the most rewarding,” she added.

“The feeling of running down the finishing chute after 26 miles of running – or a lot of walking in my case, 112 miles of cycling and 3.8km of swimming can’t really be described but I’d definitely recommend it to anyone.”

Regional manager at Sport Wales, James Owens, said “Major sporting events such as the Ironman provide fantastic opportunities for getting even more of our youngsters taking part in sport, which of course is crucially important to them leading a healthier lifestyle.

“We know that children get inspired by watching and being part of events like this.

“Ironman Wales has grown year on year and so have the come and try opportunities around it.”

News

Pembrokeshire residents can quickly check symptoms for variety of conditions on NHS 111 Wales online

Published

15 hours ago

March 4, 2021

Carli Newell

NHS 111 Wales online symptom checker can save Pembrokeshire patients time by helping them find the right NHS service for treatment. Symptoms can be quickly checked for a variety of conditions and advice given on the best way to treat them by visiting www.111.wales.nhs.uk which is hosted by the Welsh Ambulance Service.

The way we access NHS services has changed as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, with more options now becoming increasingly utilised, including the NHS 111 Wales online service which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It can be used for both health information and advice and to access urgent primary care in Welsh and English.

In a recent YouGov survey, a third of Pembrokeshire residents had not even heard of the NHS 111 Wales online symptom checker and only 19% had used it during the past 12 months.

Andrew Carruthers, Director of Operations at Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “We are asking everyone to help us by reconsidering the way you access NHS services. The methods available have changed but we are still here for you. It is worth getting to know the different ways you can access the NHS so you can be seen and treated quicker with your first port of call being NHS 111 Wales.”

According to the YouGov survey, carried out for the Welsh Government’s Keep Wales Safe campaign, only 67% of Pembrokeshire residents had heard of the NHS 111 Wales online symptom checker. However, 86% said they felt it was important to have access to the service.

NHS 111 Wales online can help if you have an urgent medical problem and you’re not sure what to do. The way it works is: You answer questions about your symptoms on the website and depending on the situation you will:

Get self-care advice
Be told how to get any medicine you need
Find out what local service can help you
Be connected to a nurse, emergency dentist, pharmacist or GP
Get a face-to-face appointment if you need one
Be given an arrival time if you need to go to A&E – this might mean you spend less time in A&E

For those who don’t have confidence going online to seek advice, there is the NHS 111 Wales phone service. This is also a free service where patients can contact the NHS by dialling 111 to receive advice on the best way to manage their issue or gain further assistance if needed. The bilingual telephone service is available 24 hours a day and seven days a week.

Eighty-four percent of Pembrokeshire residents had heard of the NHS 111 Wales phone service when asked for the recent YouGov survey but only 20% had used the telephone service during the last 12 months.

News

Trial date for son accused of killing mum

Published

17 hours ago

March 4, 2021

Luke Sinclair

THE SON of Judith Rhead, 68, who was found dead in her home in Market Street, Pembroke Dock on Feb 20 will now appear in Crown Court again in October.

Dale Morgan, 43, said to be a scout master, appeared in court only to confirm his name, date of birth and address – which was listed as Honeyborough Green, Neyland.

A plea and trial preparation hearing date was set for March 26 with a provisional trial date set for October 4.

He was remanded in custody.

In court papers it stated that the alleged murder took place between December 10, 2020 and February 21, 2021.

The paperwork demonstrates that the police are unsure of the exact date that Ms Rhead died. The large date range, two months, points to the likelihood that this will be a challenging case for all those involved.

News

Launch of Haverfordwest Castle Conservation Management Plan

Published

2 days ago

March 3, 2021

Carli Newell

MEMBERS of the public are being asked to help shape the future of Haverfordwest Castle as a draft Conservation Management Plan (CMP) is launched.

One of Pembrokeshire’s most important historical assets, the Castle is owned by Pembrokeshire County Council, which has produced the CMP.

The plan:

▪ sets out the significance of the castle and describes how the building will be protected with any new use, alteration, repair or management;

▪ will help with the planning of maintenance, conservation and repair work and adaptation of the site to meet new or changing uses;

▪ will help promote understanding of the site and look at improving public access and activities for local people and visitors;

▪ will support proposals to conserve the castle and adaptations of the site in response to climate change;

▪ and underpin funding applications to support improvements

An engagement exercise has been launched alongside the Plan, giving members of the public with an interest in the historic and/or environmental significance of the castle an opportunity to comment on the document and share their views.

To take part in the engagement exercise, please click on the following link:

https://haveyoursay.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/regeneration-communities

The deadline for responses is Sunday, March 28, 2021.