THIS weekend RNLI lifeguard patrols are extending the number of patrolled beaches across Wales, as the lifesaving charity are encouraging the public to visit a lifeguarded beach.

This Saturday 24 May, RNLI lifeguard patrols begin at a number of beaches across Wales for the half term holiday. The RNLI are advising those planning a trip to the coast, to visit a lifeguarded beach.

Tom John Lead Lifeguard Supervisor for Swansea said: ‘There are plenty of lifeguarded beaches around Wales to choose from during half term. Remember to swim and bodyboard between the red and yellow flags, and surf, kayak or stand-up paddleboard between the black and white flags.

‘The lifeguards position the flags in the safest area of the beach, if you see a red flag the lifeguards have deemed that area of the beach as unsafe – so do not enter the water. If you ever have any questions, feel free to approach the lifeguards who will be happy to help and can provide local beach safety advice for the conditions that day.’

From Saturday 24 May, RNLI lifeguards will be patrolling from 10am-6pm at the following locations:

In Denbighshire, Rhyl and Prestatyn will be patrolled every day from 24 May – 1 June. They will then be patrolled on weekends only up until 29 June when they go live full time for the remainder of the season.

In Ceredigion Borth, Aberystwyth South, Llangrannog, Tresaith and Aberporth will be patrolled every day from 24 May – 1 June. Borth and Llangrannog will continue to be patrolled full time, whilst the other beaches will be patrolled on weekends only up until 19 July when they go live full time until 31 August.

In Pembrokeshire, Whitesands, Newgale Central and Tenby South will be patrolled every day from 24 May – 1 June. Whitesands and Tenby South will continue to be patrolled every day, Newgale Central will be patrolled on weekends only up until 15 June when it goes live full time.

In Swansea, Aberavon, Langland, Caswell and Pembrey will be patrolled every day from 24 May – 1 June. Aberavon, Langland and Caswell will continue to be patrolled every day, with Pembrey to be patrolled on weekends only up until 5 July when it goes live full time.

In Bridgend and the Vale of Glamorgan, Rest Bay, Coney Beach, Trecco Bay and Whitmore Bay will be patrolled every day from 24 May until the end of the season.

Chris Cousens RNLI Water Safety Lead said: ‘If you’re visiting the coast, remember to visit a lifeguarded beach. It’s safest not to go into the water alone – the person you’re with can help you stay safe and get help in the event of an emergency.

‘If you unexpectedly find yourself in difficulty in the water, float to live. If you see anyone else in difficulty anywhere along the coast, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.’

The RNLI’s advice for anyone struggling in the water is ‘Float to Live’:

• Tilt your head back, with your ears submerged
• Relax and try to breathe normally
• Move your hands and feet to help you stay afloat
• It’s fine if your legs sink, we all float differently.

DIY enthusiasts and builders in South and West Wales are being urged to take extra care when digging to avoid hitting underground electricity cables, which is dangerous and can lead to power cuts.

Digging into a live high voltage cable can cause explosions and fires that may lead to fatalities or severe injury, including burns to face, hands and body.

Most cables are laid in trenches between 450mm and one metre deep and often there are no permanent markers to show their presence.

National Grid Electricity Distribution is advising workers to:

• find out if electrical equipment is near the digging area by checking cable location plans
• ensure someone competent at using a Cable Avoidance Tool (CAT) locates all cables shown on the plans
• mark cable locations on the ground surface with waterproof road paint or marker
• dig trial holes by hand to locate exact positions of cables using an insulated spade or shovel – never a pick, fork or power tool
• remember cable record plans are not guaranteed to be completely accurate. Kerb lines, roads and buildings may have been moved or altered since the cables were laid
• if a cable is hit, clear the area of personnel and call 105 to report it

Chris Cleveland, National Grid Electricity Distribution’s Head of Safety, said: “There’s a high risk of serious injury if an underground cable is damaged and that’s why we want anyone carrying out excavation, drilling, piling, demolition and site investigations to check in advance if live cables are anywhere near their work area.

“As well as possible injury and delaying people’s projects, damaging cables can also cause significant disruption to other customers and lead to considerable repair costs for those responsible.”

Details of how to obtain National Grid Electricity Distribution cable location plans can be found at: https://www.nationalgrid.co.uk/our-network/check-before-you-dig-location-of-our-cables-and-equipment

Government funding aims to make cultural services more accessible and sustainable

A £1.8 MILLION boost to libraries, museums, and archives across Wales has been announced by the Welsh Government, aimed at modernising cultural services and ensuring they are accessible, inclusive, and fit for the future.

The funding, delivered through the Cultural Transformational Capital Programme, will benefit six public libraries, three museums, and two archive services. The investment is part of the Welsh Government’s recently published Priorities for Culture strategy, which places cultural development at the heart of community well-being, sustainable growth, and the promotion of the Welsh language.

Announcing the investment, Minister for Culture Jack Sargeant said: “Cultural services across Wales provide vital spaces for communities to learn, connect, and engage with our rich heritage. This £1.8 million investment will help transform these services to be greener, accessible, and responsive to local needs.
“Programmes like these are key to ensuring our cultural assets remain modern, sustainable and relevant to future generations.”

Among the recipients is the National Trust’s Powis Castle in Welshpool, which has been awarded around £60,000 to support a redesigned exhibition for a significant item in its South Asian Collection — the tiger head finial from the throne of Tipū Sultān. The new display will explore the object’s complex colonial history and invite public engagement with questions about Wales’ role in global heritage.

Shane Logan, General Manager at Powis Castle and Garden, said: “This vital support from the Welsh Government will allow us to share and discuss a key moment in British and South Asian history through the lens of Tipū Sultān’s tiger head finial. It is an exciting step forward — allowing us to tell more inclusive histories and inviting reflection on what our shared past means for a more equal Wales.”

Other projects to benefit from the scheme include the creation of a new museum at Shire Hall in Monmouth, the development of modern archival storage at Wrexham Archives, and a major refurbishment of Penarth Library in Cardiff to create a modernised community and local history space.

The funding aims not only to enhance the visitor experience but also to ensure that cultural institutions across Wales remain central to the life of their communities for decades to come.