A CALL to let RNLI fundraising activities continue at six Pembrokeshire beaches has been backed by the national park.

At Pembrokeshire Coast National Park authority meeting of October 23, members were recommended to approve RNLI fundraising be allowed on six Park Authority managed beaches until December 2029.

A report for members said most organised beach activities that take place within Pembrokeshire require a licence or other formal permission from the Park Authority.

It added: “Over the years the Park Authority has generally not supported commercial and/or charity fund raising activities to take place on PCNPA controlled beaches due to the potential impacts on the National Park’s special qualities and people’s enjoyment of our local beaches.

“However, in April 2008 the Park Authority agreed to make an exception for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and granted permission for the charity to provide an information and fundraising presence on some beaches in Pembrokeshire for a limited period and only on a trial basis.

“At the time, this was a change to PCNPA’s longstanding approach but was accepted because of the vital role that the lifeguard service of the RNLI provides and the opportunity to impart practical beach safety information to the general public.

“The initial trial period was deemed to be a success, and the RNLI has continued to fundraise on a number of beaches throughout Pembrokeshire during the summer months with the expressed permission of PCNPA. The RNLI has again contacted the Park Authority, via Pembrokeshire County Council, seeking permission to renew their fundraising activities which underpin the safety of key beaches.”

The RNLI sought permission to renew activities at Newgale, Broadhaven, Nolton Haven, Whitesands, Newport Beach, and Poppit Sands between May and September each year.

The report added: “The reputation of Pembrokeshire beaches as being both clean and safe is equally vital to the visitor economy and, to this end, the RNLI play an important role that keeps the beach experience in Pembrokeshire ‘competitive’ when compared with other destinations in the UK. For the above reasons Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC) remain supportive of the RNLI’s beach presence and currently authorise the RNLI’s fundraising activities on beaches under PCC’s management control.”

Members praised the importance of the RNLI, with Cllr Chris Williams, one of the organisers of the annual Saundersfoot New Year swim, saying that event was planning to have the RNLI as one of its ‘headline’ beneficiaries for the forthcoming year.

Members supported consent for the RNLI’s fundraising activities to continue for a further five years (to December 2029) subject to the activities being on any single site for no more than 28 days, and literature being bilingual.

SENEDD Member, Paul Davies, has taken part in Haverfordwest County AFC’s walk for the Prostate United Challenge.

Mr Davies, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2022, walked just over 3km with first team player and Haverfordwest County Academy Technical Lead, Dan Hawkins and they talked about importance of the Prostate United Challenge.

The Prostate United Challenge encourages football clubs and fans to walk, run or cycle every day in October in an effort to raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK.

Mr Davies said: “I’m grateful to Haverfordwest County for inviting me to join the Prostate United Challenge walk. It’s a cause that’s close to my heart and I’m delighted to have the opportunity to take part.

“1 in 8 men get prostate cancer and I’m one of them. Initiatives like the Prostate United Challenge are a great way of showing support for those living with prostate cancer and help raise much-needed funds for Prostate Cancer UK.

“It was also great to see the progress being made on the 3G pitch, which is currently being constructed and I look forward to home games returning to the Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium soon.”

PLANED have recently (Tuesday 15^th October) been able to present their projects and the work undertaken by the team in partnership with communities, at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay.

Sponsored by local Senedd Member, Samuel Kurtz, PLANED was one of ten organisations from across Wales, who successfully bid for the opportunity to have a promotional stand for the day in the main public area of the Senedd Building.

Engaging with Senedd Member, Cabinet Secretaries, and senior civil servants from across Welsh Government, PLANED were able to promote their work within communities across a broad range of sectors and areas of interest ranging from Community Assets & Housing, to Food, Heritage & Tourism, as well as Micro Care Enterprises, Community Buildings and Accredited Training amongst others.

Supporting the Chief Executive of PLANED, Iwan Thomas, as well as two of the senior Coordinators team present to take questions and make connections, Samuel Kurtz MS noted:

“It was great to host PLANED today at the Senedd. The work they do in Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire to promote community engagement and local economic growth cannot be understated. Especially their work around food vending machines, allowing local produce to be sold locally to communities and tourists.”

Two key projects which were focused on with Senedd Members were the Local Food Partnership, managed by Sue Latham, and Prosiect Cadarnhad, managed by John Ewart. Both found the discussions with policy makers useful, in highlighting the innovative work already being delivered in Pembrokeshire and wider West Wales, that can be a transferable model to other communities across the rest of Wales.

Promoting co-production and sustainable delivery of outputs for communities is key to PLANED’s organisational vision in place since 2021, of “Empowering Communities”. As Chief Executive, Iwan Thomas notes, “Whilst the funding landscape is increasingly challenging, PLANED is finding new innovative ways to support communities in the longer term, and use funding even more effectively than we have before. Having this platform in the heart of Government to showcase the amazing partnership work in communities is very much appreciated.”

“Recent examples of how we have led the support for community purchases of key local assets such as chapels and pubs, in addition to leading the support for the creation of 145 new micro enterprises to support people living in their own homes, are just a small part of the way in which PLANED continues to support communities in different ways that are more sustainable and effective for the longer term.”

Senedd Member for Preseli Pembrokeshire was also present to engage and support during the event at the Senedd, and was keen to note:

“PLANED work in the heart of our local communities in west Wales, helping to empower residents and improve community well-being and resilience and it’s a pleasure to again show my support for their work here in the Senedd”.