Community

Cardigan RNLI calls on local community to throw charity a lifeline

Published

3 years ago

October 18, 2021

Sarah Morgan at Cardigan

CARDIGAN RNLI is today putting out its own SOS to the local area in the hope more volunteers can be sought to keep the service afloat. The station will host a recruitment day this Saturday (23 October) where members of the public can come to find out more about the various roles on offer.

Operational roles include inshore RNLI lifeboat crew and shore crew, who help ensure the lifeboat can go to sea. An appeal has also been launched to find Deputy Launch Authorities to authorise the launch of the lifeboat. A launch vehicle driver is also sought.

Cardigan RNLI are keen to recruit many roles, where volunteers can help save lives at sea, without even getting their feet wet. The station is keen to attract a Lifeboat Press Officer to raise awareness of the crew’s lifesaving work, a Lifeboat Administration Officer and a Treasurer.

As a charity, the RNLI relies on voluntary donations and legacies for income and at Cardigan, the fundraising branch is also keen to find new volunteers to boost the funds raised locally. Volunteers are also sought to help run the Cardigan RNLI shop.

Sarah Morgan, who has been a volunteer crew member at Cardigan for the past two and a half years says:

‘Being a volunteer for the RNLI brings me joy on so many levels. The strong bonds I’ve made with my fellow volunteer crew is something I treasure. The team is everything from the volunteers in the shop to the lifeboat crew who go to sea, and all the roles in between. We all work together to get the best out of one another which enables us to work as a team to save lives at sea.

‘I enjoy the challenge both physically and mentally, learning new skills and gaining knowledge under the guidance of the senior crew members, whilst getting to enjoy the beauty of the sea and our fantastic coastline. The service we provide is such a rewarding one and I can honestly say that joining was the best choice I’ve made.’

During the recruitment day which will run between 1-5pm, current volunteers will be on hand to answer any questions and help explain the vacancies in more detail.

RNLI Area Lifesaving Manager Roger Smith said:

“Volunteering with the RNLI gives you the opportunity to make a difference in your local community and to help us save lives at sea. Our charity couldn’t function without the help of our selfless and hardworking volunteers. If you’re interested in helping our charity, I encourage you to drop into the volunteer recruitment day and find out more.’

The charity is hoping to attract people from all walks of life and most new recruits don’t need to have sea-going experience to get involved.

Find out more about volunteer roles at the RNLI here on our Volunteering Pages

When: Saturday 23 October, 2021, between the hours of 1 – 5pm.

Where: Cardigan RNLI Lifeboat Station, Poppit Sands.

Community

Drop in sessions to help reshape Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service

Published

10 hours ago

January 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) is pleased to announce the launch of a series of community drop-in sessions designed to gather feedback from residents and stakeholders. This initiative aims to identify issues and challenges that may impact the delivery of the Community Risk Management Plan 2040 (CRMP 2040).

The CRMP 2040 outlines the Service’s commitment to addressing risks, threats, and challenges faced by communities. These drop-in sessions provide an opportunity for residents to help shape the future of fire and rescue services in Mid and West Wales, ensuring safety and well-being remain a priority.

Shaping the future together

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Iwan Cray said: “We believe the best way to serve our communities is by involving them in the planning process. These drop-in sessions are an opportunity for us to listen, learn, and collaborate with the people we serve.”

The drop-in sessions, details of which are available on the MAWWFRS website, offer a platform for open dialogue. Residents can share their insights, concerns, and suggestions, contributing to the development of a modern Fire and Rescue Service tailored to their needs.

A data-driven approach

The CRMP 2040 adopts a data-driven approach, focusing on prevention, protection, and response to reduce emergencies’ impact and enhance public safety. By tailoring services to community needs, MAWWFRS is committed to building safer and more resilient communities.

Get involved

Community members are encouraged to attend these sessions and provide their feedback. To thank participants, MAWWFRS is offering a chance to win a £100 Amazon voucher. To enter, simply attend a session and complete the survey.

For more information about the plan or the upcoming drop-in sessions, visit the MAWWFRS website or contact the team at [email protected].

About MAWWFRS

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service is dedicated to protecting and serving the communities of Mid and West Wales. Through prevention, protection, and response, the Service works tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents and visitors.

Community

Landfill odour sparks calls for inquiry and legal action

Published

1 day ago

January 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

RESIDENTS near Withyhedge landfill in Haverfordwest are demanding a public inquiry and considering legal action after foul odours returned just weeks after the site reopened on 6 January.

The landfill, closed last May to address odour issues, was declared fit to reopen by operator RML, which claimed its improvements would protect nearby communities. However, Colin Barnett, of campaign group Stop the Stink, said: “People in Crundale, Haverfordwest, and Spittal are being subjected to horrendous smells again.”

Describing the site as a “stink bomb on steroids,” Barnett supported Conservative MS Paul Davies’ calls for a public inquiry. “We’ve been flanneled by NRW, public health, and Pembrokeshire council. It’s disgraceful,” he said, adding that delays in resolving the issue had left litigation as the only option.

RML, part of Dauson Environmental Group, is owned by businessman David Neal, who has previous convictions for environmental crimes in 2013 and 2017. Last year, another of Neal’s companies pleaded guilty to environmental offences.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) reported receiving 34 complaints since 6 January, with a rise in recent days coinciding with the end of a slurry-spreading ban. However, NRW stated no odours attributable to the landfill were detected and plans to inspect the site with Pembrokeshire council on 29 January.

First Minister Eluned Morgan said: “I’ll keep a very close eye on this, and if concerns persist, we’ll discuss further steps with NRW.”

RML and the Welsh Government declined to comment.

Community

Public transport users urged to ‘check before travelling’ due to storm

Published

1 day ago

January 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

TRANSPORT FOR WALES and Network Rail are urging all customers to check before they travel on Friday morning and into the weekend with weather warnings in place across the country.

With Storm Eowyn set to hit Wales and winds reaching 90mph on Friday morning, customers should expect disruptions and are strongly urged to check before they travel.

There will be alterations to rail services, replacement road transport on certain routes and blanket speed restrictions at some locations, meaning journeys could take longer than usual.

Stand by buses are being planned at key locations around the network in preparation for travel disruption.

Across Wales and the Borders, Network Rail have positioned response teams to address any storm related problems to keep disruption to a minimum.

TfW Operations Director Sarah Higgins said: “It’s so important for our customers to plan ahead when looking to travel this Friday.

“While we’ve made a number of changes to our services based on detailed forecasts, storms can still be unpredictable.

“We’ve seen the impact storms can have, with damage to trains and infrastructure sometimes taking weeks or months to repair, so our cross-industry approach will hopefully limit that and keep our colleagues and customers safe. We apologise to customers for any disruption to their journeys as a result.”

Network Rail Wales & Borders Operations Director Rachel Heath added: “Our priority is always keeping safe everyone who travels and works on the railway.

“Unfortunately, there will be some delays and cancellations on Friday, as trains will not run on some lines and there will speed restrictions on other parts of the route.

“We are working closely with our train operator colleagues to ensure we can safely reopen affected lines as quickly as possible and urge passengers to check before they travel.”

Rail service changes:

No services to run on the Conwy Valley Line all day, with replacement road transport in place.
No services to run on the Heart of Wales line all day, with replacement road transport in place.
Speed restrictions at various locations around the network, meaning some journeys will take longer than usual. These include:

  50mph speed restrictions imposed from 0200 to 1500 Friday on the North Wales Coast – Bodorgan to Llandudno Junction.
  50mph restrictions from 0200 to 1200 between Carmarthen to Kidwelly.
  50mph restrictions from 0200 to 1200 between Neath and Swansea.
  50mph restrictions from 0100 – 0800 between Newport and Llanwern.

Customers who have connecting tickets for the following operators who have suspended services due to the adverse weather conditions, we’ll honour tickets dated 24 January on either Thursday 23 January or up to and including Tuesday 28 January.