Community

Pembrokeshire lifeguards safety warning following a spike in rescues

Published

5 months ago

August 23, 2024

RNLI beach lifeguards in Pembrokeshire are strongly advising people to choose a lifeguarded beach following a spike in rescues across beaches in south west Wales.

Following a rise in the number of rescues in Pembrokeshire over the last ten days, RNLI lifeguards are reminding the public of the importance of visiting a lifeguarded beach.

RNLI lifeguards are currently patrolling everyday across eight beaches in Pembrokeshire. In the last few weeks, the beaches have been busier which has coincided with rougher sea conditions.

Last Wednesday 14 August, lifeguards patrolling at Tenby Castle Beach rescued 11 people – including three children from rip currents. Lifeguards responded on rescue boards and safely returned all the casualties to shore.

On Friday 16 August, lifeguards patrolling at Newgale Beach rescued six people and aided a further six from rip currents.

This week, on Tuesday 20 August, Newgale’s RWC (Rescue Water Craft) rescued a surfer in difficulty in a rip current.

The following day, (Wednesday 21 August) a bodyboarder was rescued and a further four were assisted from rip currents by Newgale’s lifeguards.

Noah Harvatt, RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor for North Pembrokeshire said:

‘The combination of wind, swell and big tides in the last couple of weeks has caused an abundance of rip currents.

‘The number of rescues and assists our lifeguards have responded to shows the importance of choosing an RNLI lifeguarded beach if you’re planning on going in the water.

‘We position the flags in the safest areas of the beach. Always swim and bodyboard between the red and yellow flags, and surf, kayak or paddleboard between the black and white flags.

‘The location of rip currents can change every day and are impossible to predict. This forces us to regularly move the flags and dynamically assess the beach.’

Yesterday (22 August) Newgale, Nolton Haven and Freshwater West were all red flagged due to dangerous conditions.

Storm Lillian brought strong winds and big surf, meaning the conditions posed a heightened risk to beachgoers. The likelihood and strength of rip currents is heightened in these circumstances, which often forces lifeguards to red flag certain areas, or an entire beach.

Oliver Davies-Scourfield, Lead Lifeguard Supervisor for South Pembrokeshire said:

‘If you see a red flag flying, we have deemed that area of the beach as unsafe and strongly advise against entering the water.

‘If you find yourself caught in a rip current, don’t swim against it or you’ll get exhausted. If you can stand, then wade don’t swim. If you can, try to swim parallel to the shore until you’re free of the current, and then head back to shore. Always raise your hand and shout for help.

‘If you’re ever unsure as to why we’ve red flagged the beach, please approach our lifeguards. We’re more than happy to offer guidance and direct you to a safer place to swim.’

‘In Pembrokeshire the following beaches are currently being patrolled every day from 10am-6pm up until 1 September: Newport Sands, Poppit Sands, Whitesands, Newgale Central and South, Broad Haven, Freshwater West, Tenby North, Tenby Castle, Tenby South and Saundersfoot.Choose one of our lifeguarded beaches if you’re planning a dip.

‘If you find yourself in difficulty in the water remember Float to Live Tilt your head back with your ears submerged. Relax and try to control your breathing, use your hands to help you stay afloat. It’s OK if your legs sink, as we all float differently. Then once you are through the initial shock, call for help or swim to safety if you can.’

The RNLI’s Float to Live advice:

Tilt your head back with ears submerged
Relax and try to control your breathing
Use your hands to help you stay afloat
It’s OK if your legs sink, we all float differently
Once you are through the initial shock, call for help or swim to safety if you can.

Community

Landfill odour sparks calls for inquiry and legal action

Published

14 hours 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

15 hours 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.

       London Northeastern Railway
       LUMO
       TransPennine Express
       Northern
       Grand Central
       Avanti

Community

Mid and West Wales Fire Service launches recruitment drive

Published

16 hours ago

January 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE MID AND WEST WALES FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE has announced it is halfway through its recruitment window for Wholetime Firefighters. The service is actively seeking individuals from diverse backgrounds to join their ranks and contribute to the safety and well-being of communities across Mid and West Wales.

Chief Fire Officer Roger Thomas KFSM emphasised the evolving nature of the firefighter’s role, stating, “The role of a Wholetime Firefighter goes far beyond tackling fires, road traffic collisions and water rescues. Modern-day firefighters play a crucial part in educating the public and working to prevent risks to life and the environment.”

The MAWWFRS is keen to attract applicants with a wide range of skills and experiences, recognising the diverse challenges faced by today’s fire service. “We encourage people from a variety of backgrounds to apply, emphasising the diverse skill set needed for this challenging yet rewarding career,” added Thomas.

This recruitment initiative is seen as a vital step in ensuring the service has the necessary personnel to respond effectively to emergencies and maintain safety standards across the region. The MAWWFRS covers a vast area, encompassing nearly two-thirds of Wales, making it the third largest Fire and Rescue Service in the United Kingdom.

Prospective candidates are encouraged to visit the MAWWFRS website for detailed information on fitness requirements, the application process, and how to apply. The online registration window closes at 12pm on Monday, 27th January 2025.

As the service continues its mission to create safer communities, this recruitment drive offers an opportunity for individuals to become part of a team that makes a real difference in people’s lives.

Citations:
[1] http://eastwoodacademy.co.uk/docs/How%20to%20write%20a%20newspaper%20article.pdf
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mid_and_West_Wales_Fire_and_Rescue_Service
[3] https://midwestwalesfire.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s5689/HR%20People%20and%20Well-Being%20Update%20Report.pdf
[4] https://nickdale.me/2023/05/31/how-to-write-a-newspaper-article/
[5] https://www.gov.wales/find-your-local-fire-and-rescue-service
[6] https://www.mawwfire.gov.uk/eng/join-us/current-vacancies/
[7] https://www.superprof.co.uk/resources/questions/english/broadsheet-articles.html
[8] https://www.mawwfire.gov.uk
[9] https://www.mawwfire.gov.uk/eng/join-us/
[10] https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/body/mid_and_west_wales_fire_and_rescue_service