Community

Water safety call as number of drowning deaths in young people in Wales rises

Published

2 years ago

May 30, 2024

PEOPLE of all ages in Wales are being encouraged to learn key safety tips to help young people stay safe around the sea, rivers and other open water.

The call from Water Safety Wales comes as statistics showed a rise in accidental drowning deaths involving people aged under 20 for a second year running.

Water Safety Wales – a collaboration of organisations striving to reduce drowning in Wales – is today issuing four simple lifesaving tips to help young people stay safe when visiting open water:

Stop and think: Is it a safe place to swim? Are there hazards beneath the water? Are there hidden currents or fast-flowing water? How deep is it and can you get out easily?

Stay together: Always go with someone else
Float: If you get into trouble in the water, float to live until you feel calm
Call 999 or 112: If you see someone else in trouble in the water
Seven people under 20 died in accidental water-related fatalities in Wales in 2023 – the highest number since comparable data became available from the National Water Safety Forum’s Water Incident Database (WAID) in 2015.

In total, there were 28 deaths in Wales from accidental water-related fatalities in 2023 across inland and coastal locations, compared with 22 the previous year.

The accidental deaths form part of the 55 total water-related fatalities in Wales for 2023, an increase of seven from the previous year and the first overall increase in Wales in five years.

Across the UK there were 236 accidental water-related fatalities last year – an increase of 10 from the previous year.

Chris Cousens, Water Safety Wales Chair, said: “Everyone connected to Water Safety Wales was deeply saddened to hear of the tragic incidents involving young people losing their lives in open water in Wales last year.

“We believe that one drowning is one too many and the impact of losing a young person to drowning cannot be underestimated. People of all ages should learn and remember these four key safety tips for children and young people and adults should talk to their youngsters about them.

“More young people will be visiting the sea, rivers, reservoirs, lakes and other open water locations as weather improves and schools break for summer holidays. The water is still cold enough to trigger cold water shock, the body’s natural reaction to cold water which can cause panic and gasping.

“If you get into trouble in the water, resist the natural instinct to panic and Float to Live. Lean back and use your arms and legs to help you float on your back, then get control of your breathing before calling for help or swimming to safety. If you see someone else in trouble in the water, call 999 or 112. If you are at the coast, ask for the coastguard, if you are inland, ask for the fire service

‘Sea, rivers, lakes and other open water can look calm and inviting, but open water can be very different from a swimming pool. The water is usually moving and waves, currents and flow can make swimming difficult. It is important you know the depth of the water and what may be under the surface.’

The fresh data comes amid the news that, thanks to funding from the Welsh Government, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents will be overseeing the secretariat of Water Safety Wales and the management of specific agreed projects such as in education, signage and local authority engagement.

Huw Irranca-Davies, Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, said: “Water is a fundamental part of our lives in Wales. However, with this beauty and bounty comes a firm responsibility: to do our utmost to ensure that our waters are safe for everyone.

“There are still too many water-related incidents and fatalities occurring. This is where our efforts toward water safety gain importance, and why the work being done by Water Safety Wales and, now with the support of the newfound partnership with RoSPA, is so crucial.

“Safety around water is paramount. The rise in drowning incidents among young people in Wales is a stark reminder that vigilance and education are crucial.

“Together, we can save lives and let’s ensure that every child knows how to stay safe by open water this summer.”

Carlene McAvoy, Senior Policy Manager at RoSPA, said: “We are saddened by the figures that show accidental water-related deaths in 2023 rose from 2022 in Wales. The data also shows that more than half of accidental fatalities involved everyday activities, which is also a cause for concern and action.

“To combat this, we look forward to working with Water Safety Wales members, to develop further initiatives and projects to help raise awareness of the dangers of water.”

Key insights from the 2023 statistics include:

76 per cent of accidental fatalities were male, with the highest risk age group being males aged 10-19.
59 per cent of accidental fatalities occurred inland, underscoring the dangers present in rivers, lakes, and other inland water bodies.
Everyday activities accounted for 52 per cent of these fatalities, emphasising the need for heightened awareness during routine activities near water.
Two accidental fatality reports noted the presence of alcohol, highlighting the added risk factor of substance use around water.
The rate of accidental water-related fatalities was 0.89 per 100,000 population, an increase from the baseline average of 0.76 set by Wales’ Drowning Prevention Strategy 2024-2026 (WDPS).
Water Safety Wales supports the National Water Safety Forum’s #RespectTheWater, a collective campaign aiming to provide simple life saving advice which can help members of the public take personal responsibility for their own and their family’s safety by remembering two lifesaving tips. The Forum will also be promoting the campaign later in the summer for World Drowning Prevention Day on 25^th July.

Chris Cousens added: “We will reduce drowning if everyone plays their part and Wales’ Drowning Prevention Strategy 2020-2026 aims to enable people living and visiting Wales to be safer in, on and around water by reducing water-related deaths and incidents.”

To view and download the WAID 2023 report visit here.

For more information about the #RespectTheWater campaign visit https://respectthewater.com/

Community

Christmas Spectacular fills St Davids Cathedral for unforgettable concert

Published

15 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Capacity crowd enjoys Britten masterpiece and light-hearted carols

A CAPACITY audience packed into St Davids Cathedral on Sunday (Dec 14) for the annual Christmas Spectacular, with hundreds filling the nave for one of the Cathedral’s most anticipated events of the year.

The evening opened with a serious and striking performance of Benjamin Britten’s Ceremony of Carols, delivered by the Cathedral Choir and accompanied by harpist Bethan Semmens. Choristers took on a series of demanding solos, earning warm applause from the audience.

Festive second half

The tone shifted after the interval as the Cathedral Choir and Vox Angelica returned for a lively programme of carols, Christmas favourites and crowd singalongs. The highlight of the evening was a colourful and humorous rendition of The Twelve Days of Christmas by the Vicars Choral and Choral Scholars, which had the audience laughing throughout.

Team effort behind the scenes

The event was led by Director of Music Laurence John, with Assistant Director of Music Ben Richards and music team member Arwel Davies supporting the performance. The Cathedral also thanked backstage staff and volunteers for helping to deliver a smooth and memorable evening.

The Christmas Spectacular is now a fixture of the Cathedral’s festive season and continues to draw large crowds, with Sunday’s concert selling out well in advance.

Community

HaverHub talk showcasing 40 key artefacts from Haverfordwest’s history

Published

16 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THOSE who attended “The History of Haverfordwest in 40 Artefacts” talk at HaverHub on 5 December 2025, said the event was “excellent”.

The talk offered a fascinating insight into the town’s past, including the remarkable fact that Haverfordwest was once a county within Pembrokeshire with its own currency and police force.

***Dr Simon Hancock and Cllr Tom Tudor at the event in Haverfordwest***

Below is a summary of the themes explored during the presentation, based on the museum’s collection and Dr Simon Hancock, who presented the talk’s expertise:

A journey through Haverfordwest’s story

Haverfordwest’s rich history is brought to life through objects held in its museum, illustrating the town’s development as a medieval port, administrative centre, and thriving market hub. The 40 artefacts selected for the presentation reveal centuries of Welsh life, local craftsmanship, political change, and moments of conflict—from early prehistory to the modern era.

Early and Medieval Life

Neolithic standing stones & Iron Age slag – Traces of prehistoric occupation near Garn Turne.
Roman artefacts – Finds demonstrating Roman presence in the wider area.
Medieval tiles & effigies – Unearthed from the Augustinian Priory, showing craftsmanship and burial practices.
Imported French floor tiles – Evidence of wealth and long-distance trade at the Priory.
Jet chess piece – A rare object hinting at leisure activities and trade connections.
Skeletal remains – Providing insight into high child mortality and possible injuries from the 1405 siege of the town.
Warfare evidence – Including a skull bearing a puncture wound consistent with medieval combat.

Trade, Power and Governance

Port and market artefacts – Reflecting Haverfordwest’s importance as one of Wales’s leading medieval ports.
Banking materials – Linked to the historic Haverfordwest Bank.
County corporate charters – Documents showing the town’s unique status as a county corporate in its own right, granted by Edward V in 1479.

Social and Cultural Life

Local crafts and furniture – Examples of regional artistry and practical workmanship.
Military uniforms and objects – Underlining the town’s long association with local defence forces.
Music-related artefacts – Celebrating the town’s strong musical tradition.
Cinema memorabilia – Particularly from the Palace Cinema, operating from 1913 onwards.

Where these stories live today

Haverfordwest Town Museum – The primary home of many of these significant artefacts.
HaverHub events – Where Dr Simon Hancock continues to present and interpret local history.
Archaeological sites – Including the Priory ruins and recent excavations on Bridge Street.

Community

Kurtz thanks Narberth postal workers for Christmas effort

Published

18 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Annual visit to Royal Mail delivery office recognises “exceptional dedication”

SAMUEL KURTZ MS has paid tribute to postal workers at the Royal Mail Delivery Office in Narberth during a visit this week, thanking staff for their hard work at the busiest time of the year.

The run-up to Christmas is the peak period for Royal Mail, with teams processing and delivering thousands of cards, parcels and festive packages for households and businesses across west Wales. During his tour of the depot, the Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire Member of the Senedd met with postal workers and heard first-hand about the pressures they face in keeping deliveries on track.

As part of the now annual tradition, Mr Kurtz also donated a bottle from Pembrokeshire’s award-winning Velfrey Vineyard for a free staff raffle.

Speaking after the visit, Samuel Kurtz MS said: “Every year, postal workers go above and beyond to make sure our Christmas cards and parcels arrive safely. Their dedication keeps communities connected, and I want to pay a heartfelt thank you to the team in Narberth for the incredible work they do at the most demanding time of the year.”