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Olympic champion to compete in the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals

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TWICE Olympic champion Helen Glover has a new rowing focus – ready for action at a Wales World Championships that may well mark the start of an exciting journey for the sport, and she believes coastal rowing will only continue to grow around the UK and beyond.
This weekend Glover will compete in the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals hosted at Saundersfoot Harbour. Following an exciting recent announcement that coastal rowing is to be included in the 2026 Victoria Commonwealth Games, Beach Sprints are also eyeing a potential Olympic nomination for 2028.
As the sport grows fast, a home World Championships will continue to inspire more at a grassroots level to try the sport for the first time, whether they are transitioning from flat water rowing or coming into the sport with no experience. Reflecting on her journey into the sport as a relative newcomer herself, Helen praised the newer disciplines as fantastic additions to rowing’s proud tradition:
“In terms of a transition, it’s been easy because of people being welcoming and open minded. Everyone’s trying to learn about this sport because it’s just so fast growing, people want to make it work and make big things happen.

“It’s been really welcoming, training here in Wales. And it’s all kind of based around enjoying it, and everyone just having a great time and helping people learn about this new sport as quickly as they can.
When I first tried it, I wasn’t kind of deciding to make a transition or switch over. It was just a WhatsApp message that went round saying “who wants to try this out? It sounds fun.’
“I ended up going along to the occasional session, just to try a new fun type of rowing. I ended up getting selected for the world’s team! I never necessarily had it in my sights or thought this would be my new sport or anything like that. I just really enjoyed it, and every time I turned up there were more opportunities to try it again.
Anyone hoping to enter the sport at a grassroots level could well have a lot to aspire for in the near future, with many hoping to see it on an even bigger stage and an opportunity for rowing to attract wider and more diverse audiences. Helen said:
“I wouldn’t at all be surprised if it did end up at the Olympic Games. I think events like this weekend will be really important because it’ll showcase what the sport can do.
“Even I haven’t seen what it can do at this scale yet – I haven’t been to an event like this, an international event in all its glory. I think it will be really important to showcase to the world and rest of the UK what Beach Sprints can bring on that big scale.
“I think the accessibility thing is something that’s always an important aspect of Olympics sports, and Beach Sprints does have this in a really strong way. If you haven’t tried it before, it’s such a welcoming community. I’ve really experienced a lot of this feeling of appreciation of where you are, feeling lucky to be out on the waves. I’ve always felt that with rowing but never more so than in coastal rowing.
It’s just an amazing sport to take up. It takes a lot of the skills, a lot of the fitness that you will already have, but it’ll just challenge you in different ways. Something about rowers like that challenge, they look for that challenge. Everything’s happening at once, at crazy speed. It’s manic – but it’s all good fun.”

 

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Land Rover swallowed by tide at popular Welsh beach

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A LAND ROVER Discovery has been lost to the sea at Abersoch after becoming stranded on the resort’s Main Beach.

The vehicle, worth tens of thousands of pounds, was spotted by early morning dog walkers on the sand at the Gwynedd coastal village before being completely covered by the incoming tide at around 10:00am.

Stranded on sand

Images circulating on social media showed the 4×4 marooned on the beach, with some locals initially questioning whether the pictures were genuine.

However, witnesses later confirmed the incident, with one RIB owner reporting: “People are paddleboarding over its roof!”

It is believed the vehicle may have become stuck while being used to recover a boat trailer or jet ski.

‘Not the first’

Locals said the incident was a familiar sight at the popular seaside resort, where vehicles have previously become trapped by soft sand and fast-moving tides.

One man wrote: “Not the first and it won’t be the last.”

Another joked: “The tide comes in. Who knew?”

Others described it as the start of the “silly season”, when coastal mishaps increase as visitor numbers rise.

Expensive mistake

New Land Rover Discovery models can cost around £80,000, while Discovery Sport models start from about £55,000.

Commenters suggested the vehicle’s off-road reputation may have given the driver false confidence.

One wrote: “It probably gave him a sense of security that it can go anywhere — we all know it can’t.”

Recovery expected

As the tide began to recede, boat owners reported the outline of the vehicle starting to reappear beneath the water.

Recovery was expected to require a beach tractor, but seawater damage means the Land Rover is likely to be written off.

One local said: “Very sad to see that something went wrong. You see many cars go into the sea to retrieve boat trailers, and you know that car will be rotten very soon afterwards.

“There’s a reason why old tractors are used.”

Despite the flood of “can’t park there” jokes and “Chelsea tractor” comments online, many said they felt sorry for the owner, who now faces what one person called a “very expensive weekend.”

 

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Cllr marks 10th blood donation and urges others to give blood

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A PEMBROKESHIRE councillor has urged more people to become blood donors after receiving his 10-unit donation badge from the Welsh Blood Service.

Cllr Thomas Tudor said he was pleased to receive the recognition and encouraged anyone who is able to donate to come forward.

He said: “If you can give blood, please do so.”

The Welsh Blood Service says hospitals in Wales need around 350 blood donations every day to support patients in need.

A single donation can help up to three patients, as blood can be separated into different components and used in different ways to help people recover.

The service is calling for donors from all backgrounds, including first-time donors and those who have given blood before, to help maintain supplies for hospitals across Wales.

Giving blood is described as quick, simple and safe, and remains one of the most important ways members of the public can help save lives.

Anyone wishing to find out more can contact the Welsh Blood Service on 0800 252 266, Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 7:00pm, or Saturday from 9:00am to 1:00pm. They can also email [email protected].

Caption:

Cllr Thomas Tudor giving blood after receiving his 10-unit donation badge from the Welsh Blood Service.

 

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Welsh Labour manifesto pledge: Direct London train for Milford Haven

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WELSH LABOUR has unveiled a pledge to deliver a direct rail service between Milford Haven and London – a move that would transform connectivity for communities across Pembrokeshire.

This commitment builds on £50 million of UK Labour investment to upgrade rail services to Milford Haven.

Work is already underway, in partnership between the Welsh Labour Government and Pembrokeshire County Council, led by Council Labour Leader Paul Miller, to transform Milford Haven railway station into a modern Public Transport Interchange – delivering smoother, better connected and more accessible journeys.

Together, these upgrades will pave the way for direct London services to call at Milford Haven, alongside an hourly service and vital level crossing safety improvements delivered by the UK Labour Government.

First Minister Eluned Morgan said: “This pledge sits alongside a record commitment to rail in Wales – up to £14 billion of investment, new stations and a transformed Metro. But this is about more than just a rail line.

It’s about opening Pembrokeshire up – bringing more people to one of the most beautiful parts of Wales, strengthening our tourism sector and creating new opportunities for local businesses to grow.

“And as we do that, we’re doing it the right way – backing a greener economy, making it easier for people to travel sustainably, and ensuring that growth benefits our communities. This is how we build a stronger future for West Wales – with better connections, more opportunity and an economy that works with our environment, not against it.”

Welsh Labour candidate for Ceredigion Penfro, Marc Tierney added: “A direct train to London from Milford would be a game changer for our communities – boosting tourism, supporting local businesses and making it easier for people to live and work here.

“The work underway to transform Milford Haven station into a modern transport hub, alongside plans for an hourly service, shows what Welsh Labour can deliver when we work in partnership with local authorities – investing in the infrastructure our communities deserve. With new funding from the UK Labour Government and a strong partnership in place, we can now go further.

“Welsh Labour is delivering the investment and the ambition needed to ensure West Wales is at the forefront of modern, connected and accessible transport.”

The pledge forms part of Welsh Labour’s wider plan to modernise public transport, strengthen regional connectivity and ensure no part of Wales is left behind.

 

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