News

Pembrokeshire bathing waters: It wasn’t always this way

Published

5 years ago

August 2, 2021

IN THE south western corner of Wales lies Pembrokeshire, a beautiful place that attracts millions of tourists each year and is currently celebrating having some of the cleanest bathing waters in the United Kingdom.

The county has 29 designated bathing waters – almost a third of all those in Wales – and latest results from our Wales Bathing Water Quality Report 2020 show that 27 of those have achieved the highest ‘excellent’ status, with the remaining two achieving ‘good’.

The bathing water sampling season usually runs from the 15 May to 30 September and tests all 105 designated bathing waters around Wales on their water quality. Water samples are taken away, analysed in a specialist laboratory and assessed against a set criteria.

At the end of the season the results will be compiled for each bathing water and used to assess the water as ‘poor’, ‘sufficient’, ‘good’ or ‘excellent’.

This means that local residents and the millions of tourists that flock to Pembrokeshire, can take a dip in the sea safe in the knowledge that they are swimming in some of the cleanest waters in the UK.

But it hasn’t always been that way.

Rod Thomas, a senior environment officer for Natural Resources wales, has lived in Pembrokeshire all his life, and worked as an environment officer within NRW for more than 30 years.

Here Rod tells the story of how strong partnership working and a joint commitment to making a change has made Pembrokeshire the county with the highest number of excellent rated bathing waters in Wales.

Change was no accident

I was born and raised in Pembrokeshire. I love it here and visit our beaches as often as I can.

I’m so proud of what has been achieved, and to be part of the Pembrokeshire Environment Team that has played such a massive role in turning things around for our bathing waters.

This change was no accident. It is the result of a lot of hard work by all parties involved.

Top three issues – tourism, sewage treatment and farming.

Our bathing water issues resulted from a combination of problems, with the top three issues being:

the impact of tourism
out-dated sewerage systems
impacts from agriculture
Partnership working and Pembrokeshire Beach Strategy

We started to achieve change when organisations pulled together, and we took a partnership approach to the issue. Welsh Water started to make improvements to their waste management systems, while NRW proactively visited areas to identify pollution problems. In addition, Pembrokeshire County Council identified sewer misconnections and enforced dog byelaws to allow dogs on restricted areas of the designated beaches.

In 2018 we formalised this partnership working with the launch of the Pembrokeshire Beach Strategy (2018-2021). This outlines the roles and responsibilities of each organisation and has been our road map to continuous positive change in ensuring that ‘a visit to a Pembrokeshire beach is the best experience that it can be.’

Each beach has a story to tell

Each beach has its own story to tell and demonstrates the range of pollution issues that can affect our bathing waters.

We worked with a local farmer in one area who was keen to help protect the Blue Flag status of a local beach. The farmer changed his practices to ensure that cattle were not allowed to stand in the stream above the beach. By providing an alternative drinking water source, and protecting the water quality of the stream, the beach achieved ‘excellent’ status.

Wiseman’s Bridge

Back in 2011 the bathing water at Wiseman’s Bridge was rated ‘poor’, the lowest standard possible. There was the very real possibility that signage would be required to advise people not to swim there. This was a real challenge for NRW, Pembrokeshire County Council, and all the organisations that it impacted upon, as well as the local economy that relies so heavily on tourism.

The beach is surrounded by caravan sites, as well as properties on private sewerage systems. We carried out a rigourous pollution prevention campaign in the area. We visited all caravan sites, farms and local houses using septic tanks. We found a variety of problems including misconnections.

Several caravan sites had private sewage treatment plants that were old and therefore not working very effectively. The result was poor quality effluent discharging into the stream that led to the beach. We provided site owners with advice and guidance. They took all this on board and went above and beyond what was required, investing in new sewerage treatment systems. The technology includes the use of ultraviolet light treatment plus a reed bed system and results in ‘gin clear’ water.

After seven years of continual improvements this beach now has ‘excellent’ status, a fantastic achievement!

It’s not easy, but change is possible

Improving bathing water quality is not easy, but it is most certainly possible. It requires organisations to work together, chipping away bit by bit over a long period of time. We couldn’t do it without the help of local businesses and landowners.

We will continue to look for opportunities for more improvements to be made. My dream would be for all 29 bathing waters to achieve excellent status.

If we turn our backs on this and stop doing what we’re doing, the quality of bathing waters will decline again. I for one, do not want this to happen.

Stay safe in our waters this summer

If you are planning on visiting some of Wales’ coastlines or inland rivers and lakes this summer, please ensure that you take extra steps to keep yourself and your family safe around water, by assessing the risks before you enter the water and paying more attention to what’s happening around you.

Find out more on how to have a safe and enjoyable time outdoors at Adventure Smart UK, and follow the advice in the Waterside Code and the Wild Swimming Code – part of the Countryside Code family.

The Wales Bathing Water Quality Report 2020 is available to view here, Natural Resources Wales / Wales bathing water quality report 2020.

You can also check the bathing water quality of each designated area here: http://environment.data.gov.uk/wales/bathing-waters/profiles/

Local Government

Milford Haven civic service marks start of mayoral year

Published

26 minutes ago

June 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Mayor’s charities named as civic leaders gather at St Katharine and St Peter’s Church

THE CIVIC SERVICE of the Mayor of Milford Haven, Cllr Mark Woodward, took place at St Katharine and St Peter’s Church on Saturday (June 20).

The service marked Cllr Woodward’s election as Mayor and First Citizen of Milford Haven.

It was conducted by Rev Dr Adrian Furse and Canon John Cecil, with music from church organist Richard Stephens, Gelliswick Community Choir and Milford Haven Town Band.

Guides and Brownies, Milford Haven Sea Cadets and Royal Marines Cadets were also among those taking part, with councillors Colin Sharp and Yvonne Southwell acting as ushers.

Refreshments followed at Milford Haven Bowling Club.

Local MS Paul Davies was among those attending the service and wished the new mayor all the best for his term in office.

Cllr Woodward’s chosen charities for the year are Patch Charity and Greenacres Rescue.

Photo caption:

Civic guests attended the Mayor of Milford Haven’s service at St Katharine and St Peter’s Church on Saturday (Pic: Supplied)

Charity

Toy Story fans fill charity toy box at Haverfordwest cinema

Published

11 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Donations pour in for SNAP Specialist Play as families embrace Toy Story 5 launch

A TOY STORY-themed charity appeal at a Haverfordwest cinema has got off to a flying start, with families donating toys to support children with additional needs across Pembrokeshire.

The Palace Cinema has teamed up with local charity SNAP Specialist Play to collect new and pre-loved toys during screenings of the newly released Toy Story 5.

The appeal centres around an “Andy’s Toys” donation box, inspired by the beloved Pixar films, which has already been filled by generous filmgoers.

***Toy Story magic: The Palace Cinema foyer has been transformed with themed decorations to celebrate the film’s release***

Cinema manager Hannah Cramp said the response from the community had exceeded expectations.

Families attending opening screenings have arrived carrying bags of toys, with many children keen to share their own treasured items to help others.

The cinema has transformed its foyer into a colourful Toy Story-themed experience, complete with hand-painted decorations, character silhouettes, bunting and famous film slogans including “Reach for the Sky” and “To Infinity and Beyond”.

Many visitors have also embraced the spirit of the occasion by attending in costume as their favourite Toy Story characters.

***Specialist support: SNAP’s sensory facilities help children with additional needs learn and develop through play***

The toys are being donated to SNAP Specialist Play, a charity based within the Child Health Department at Withybush Hospital.

SNAP supports pre-school children with additional and complex needs through specialist play sessions designed to encourage communication, physical development and sensory learning.

Its facilities include sensory rooms, therapeutic play spaces and bespoke equipment used by speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

Project manager Cindy Jenkins said the charity was delighted by the partnership and grateful for the generosity shown by local families.

She said every toy donated would be put to good use, either during specialist play sessions, at family events, or through seasonal initiatives such as Christmas gift boxes for children and their siblings.

The appeal will continue until mid-July, with organisers hopeful that even more donations will be received over the coming weeks.

Anyone attending Toy Story 5 at the Palace Cinema is invited to bring along a new or good-quality pre-loved toy to support the appeal.

Cover photo:

Fancy dress fun: Palace Cinema manager Hannah Cramp helping launch the Toy Story charity appeal.

Health

Medicine shortages now ‘most severe on record’, health leaders warn

Published

11 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PATIENTS are facing some of the worst medicine shortages ever seen in the UK, with pharmacists warning the situation now poses a serious risk to safety.

The National Pharmacy Association said shortages affecting commonly used medicines are becoming more frequent, lasting longer, and causing increasing disruption for patients, GP surgeries and pharmacies.

The warning comes as Serious Shortage Protocols for Creon, used by people with pancreatic cancer and cystic fibrosis to help digest food, have been in place since May 2024 and have now been extended until July 10, 2026.

HRT treatment Estradot has also been under a Serious Shortage Protocol since December 2024, with the current extension also running until July 10.

Patients travelling between pharmacies

A survey by the National Pharmacy Association found that 98 per cent of pharmacies had encountered patients who had visited several pharmacies in one day to find a prescription.

It also found that 96 per cent of pharmacies believed the current situation posed a serious risk to patient safety, while 89 per cent said they had been unable to dispense a medicine at least once a day because of supply problems.

Some pharmacy teams have also faced anger and abuse from patients unable to obtain medication.

Olivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association, said: “Medicine shortages are becoming more frequent, lasting longer and causing increasing disruption for patients.

“These shortages are some of most severe the UK has experienced.

“It is deeply distressing to find patients who have travelled from pharmacy to pharmacy to find the medicines they need without success.”

Calls for urgent taskforce

The NPA is calling on the government to convene an emergency taskforce involving manufacturers, wholesalers, clinicians and pharmacists.

It also wants changes to rules which currently stop pharmacists from making simple substitutions, such as changing a tablet to a capsule or a cream to an ointment, even where a safe alternative is available.

Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, President of the Royal College of GPs, said medicine shortages were frustrating for patients, GPs and pharmacists, and added pressure to already stretched services.

She said the College supported pharmacists being able to make limited changes to prescriptions where a medicine is unavailable and a safe alternative exists.

She added: “The most important thing is that patients are able to access the medication they need safely and without delay.”

The Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Pancreatic Cancer UK have also raised concerns about the impact of shortages of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, including Creon, on people who rely on the medication to digest food, maintain weight and stay well enough for treatment.