Community

Pembrokeshire RNLI volunteers awarded for saving the lives of two kayakers

Published

2 years ago

June 22, 2023

RNLI volunteers from Cardigan RNLI have been presented with bravery awards for their skill and courage in rescuing two capsized kayakers near the Witches’ Cauldron at Moylegrove, Pembrokeshire.

The awards were presented during a ceremony at Cardigan Lifeboat Station on Tuesday evening.

RNLI Helm Mark Williams was presented with a Letter of Thanks from the RNLI’s Chairman for his excellent seamanship, sound command and decision-making during the incident in August 2022. For their collective efforts, courage and team-work, Chairman Letters of Thanks were also awarded to RNLI volunteer crew members Louise Francis and Simon Mansfield. The presentation was made by Jo Partner, Head of Region for the RNLI in Wales.

HM Coastguard requested the launch of Cardigan RNLI lifeboat to assist the kayakers, who were reported as having capsized and attempting to scramble onto rocks for safety.

Cardigan’s D class inshore lifeboat RNLB John Darbyshire was launched with clear visibility, a stiff breeze and moderate seas of between 1.5 to 2.5 metres high. Sea conditions were particularly challenging throughout. The lifeboat headed to the scene in a westerly wind blowing 20 knots, at the upper limits of the D class lifeboat’s capabilities.

The crew made best speed in the challenging weather conditions arriving in approximately 25 minutes. On arrival at the scene, sea conditions within the Witches’ Cauldron were unpredictable, rapidly changing, and presented a difficult environment in which to operate safely, particularly in recovering casualties from the rocky shore.

The volunteer crew commenced a search and located the casualties, who were now out of their kayaks, having scrambled ashore, and were sitting on the rocky shoreline. The crew assessed the sea conditions and determined that bringing the lifeboat alongside the shore would have presented significant risk to the crew and lifeboat. It was agreed that a crew member would need to enter the water to reach the casualties.

RNLI volunteer crew member Simon Mansfield entered the water, swam to the rock and conducted an initial casualty assessment. This assessment confirmed that both casualties were well and did not need any immediate medical assistance. RNLI crew member Louise Francis then passed a throwline to the shore. With the assistance of Simon Mansfield, both casualties were then safely manoeuvred out to the lifeboat away from the rocks and recovered onboard. Helm Mark Williams skilfully continually adjusted the lifeboat position in turbulent waters to ensure the safety of all involved and the vessel.

Once both casualties were safely onboard, the lifeboat headed to a shore location at Ceibwr where both casualties were then handed over to the HM Coastguard team.

Roger Smith, RNLI Area Lifesaving Manager says:

‘This was a protracted and demanding service in challenging conditions for a D class inshore lifeboat and is most deserving of a meritorious award.

‘The lifeboat crew demonstrated a high degree of professionalism and teamwork. Helm Mark Williams demonstrated excellent seamanship in a very challenging tidal surge, ensuring the crew could rescue the casualties whilst maintaining the safety of crew and lifeboat. He also demonstrated sound command and decision-making in committing a crew member ashore whilst retaining the other onboard to assist in the recovery.’

The entire service had a duration of two hours including a 25-minute passage to the casualty location.

Mr Smith added:

‘Crew member Simon Mansfield demonstrated courage and physical fitness in entering the water, reaching the casualties safely, assessing their condition and then assisting them to the lifeboat. Crew member Louise Francis played a crucial role in launching the throwline, safely bringing the casualties onboard and assisting in the recovery of her crewmember afterwards.’

During the presentation, the entire team at Cardigan RNLI also received a second surprise accolade. The station was presented with an Excellence in Volunteering award in recognition of the entire team’s selflessness and dedication to saving lives at sea. The station received a Certificate of Thanks from the RNLI’s Chief Executive Mark Dowie to reflect the charity’s gratitude to the entire team at Cardigan for their collective efforts in saving lives at sea.

Stuart Wallace, RNLI Lifesaving Lead for Wales who made the Excellent in Volunteering presentation says:

‘I cannot think of a more deserving station to receive such an award. The team at Cardigan embody the RNLI’s ‘One Crew’ ethos. Volunteers from every area of the organisation from water safety to engagement are working together effectively with the same shared goal. I’m incredibly pleased at what Cardigan have achieved as a station and would like to congratulate them on two very special awards.’

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

12 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.

Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.

The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.

Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.

Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.

(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)

Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

Published

20 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.

In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”

Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.

Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.

Community

Restoration of a pond hopes to support biodiversity in Pembrokeshire

Published

1 day ago

December 20, 2024

Tom Sinclair

AN OLD millpond at the heart of the Wallis and Ambleston community, and a site of Special Scientific Interest, has now been improved to benefit water quality and increase biodiversity in an area of South Wales, thanks to funding from Nestlé Waters UK.

Wallis Pond was created in 1836 as part of the tributary of the Wester Cleddau River to supply water to a local mill. Back in 1978, it was restored and later re-opened by HRH King Charles III, the then Prince of Wales.

Over the years, the pond had become completely silted up, restricting the waters passage and the pond’s ability to retain water, resulting in a reduced diversity of habitat in and around the millpond.

Pembrokeshire County Council, Heavyside Landscapes and Nestlé Waters UK have come together to restore the millpond with regulatory guidance from Natural Resources Wales and support from the Ambleston Community Council.

The project saw the pond re-dug and de-silted, and the old sluice gate replaced to re-establish the millpond. With the pond now able to hold more water, it is hoped to help build resilience to the increased frequency and intensity of storm events, alleviating the risk of flooding in the local area.

Retention of flows in the pond for a longer time should help reduce silt build-up and prevent nutrients such as phosphates and nitrates from travelling downstream in the Cleddau catchment, helping to protect water quality, improve aquatic habitats, and encourage eels, otters, damselflies, and other wildlife species.

Restoration of Wallis Pond is one of the projects that Nestlé Waters is working on as part of its efforts to help regenerate local water cycles and create a positive water impact everywhere the company operates.

Matthew Faulkner, Factory Manager at the Nestlé Waters site in Princes Gate, said: “We are proud to be a part of the Wallis Pond restoration work, aimed at delivering long-lasting benefits in Pembrokeshire, where we bottle at source Princes Gate and Nestlé Pure Life waters. This beautiful landscape is not only our home, but also home to some incredible flora and fauna which are vital for keeping the area rich and thriving in biodiversity.

“We’re working hard to protect this land and the water beneath our feet. Water is a shared resource and a shared responsibility, and caring for it takes the whole community. That’s why we’re grateful to be working with partners on this project that will hopefully have a positive impact on the local ecosystem and community.”

Cllr Rhys Sinnett, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services at the Pembrokeshire County Council, said: “We welcome this funding to enhance the biodiversity in Wallis Pond which can be enjoyed by the residents of Ambleston, the wider communities in Pembrokeshire and the visitors to our fantastic county.

“This is an excellent example of partnership working that has significant benefits for the environment and the wellbeing of generations to come.”

Eirian Forrest, Clerk at the Ambleston Community Council, said: “We are grateful to Nestlé Waters UK for the funding and wish to thank everyone who has been involved in this project, especially the Pembrokeshire County Council team, for pushing the project forwards.

“The Community Council are delighted that the work has finally been done and look forward to the positive impact it will have on biodiversity. We have already received many positive comments from members of the community. The improved pond encourages locals to take a walk around the area, as well as sit down to watch and enjoy the wildlife.”