A PEMBROKESHIRE athlete is due to complete a gruelling triathlon on behalf of Hywel Dda Health Charities, for a cause he’s “honoured” to support.

Mathew Terry is taking on this year’s Long Course Weekend Wales to raise money for Cancer Services, Ceredigion, in memory of his best friend Rhian Mason.

Rhian sadly died at the age of 42 from cancer, but received “wonderful care” from the team at Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth early on in her diagnosis.

Mathew will be competing in a 2.4-mile swim, followed by a 112-mile cycle ride and then a marathon, in Rhian’s name.

He said: “Rhi received exceptional care from the Cancer Services Department at Bronglais Hospital. The compassion, professionalism, and support they provide to patients and families at the most difficult times is truly inspiring.

“They helped Rhi navigate the early stages of her cancer with kindness, professionalism and superb care.”

He added: “It’s a real privilege to take on Long Course Weekend in her memory, and to raise funds to help ensure this incredible team can continue supporting others when they need it most.”

Tara Nickerson, Fundraising Manager for Hywel Dda Health Charities, said: “We’re so grateful for Mathew’s support. It’s a real privilege that he’s chosen to compete on behalf of our charity and the important work that Cancer Services do.

“The generous charitable donations we receive don’t replace NHS funding. Instead, they are used to provide items and activities above and beyond core NHS expenditure, such as more welcoming surroundings for patients, families and staff, and research into, and the development of, treatments.”

Long Course Weekend Wales is happening on 26^th-28^th June 2026.

For more details about the charity and how you can help support local NHS patients and staff, go to https://hywelddahealthcharities.nhs.wales/

Free family event will celebrate Pembrokeshire’s coast, marine life and community projects

MILFORD HAVEN will host a free maritime celebration this St David’s Day, with families invited to enjoy a day of hands-on activities, talks and local food at the popular Waterfront.

The Festival of the Sea will take place on Sunday (Mar 1) from 10:00am to 4:00pm, bringing together organisations, community groups and marine experts to highlight Pembrokeshire’s connection to the ocean and the people working to protect it.

Organised by Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum, the one-day event will feature a range of interactive attractions, including a live marine touch tank hosted by the Field Studies Council, creative workshops with the Waterfront Gallery, and storytelling sessions from organisations such as the RNLI, Celtic Deep, Car Y Môr and The Crown Estate.

Visitors will also be able to learn more about local environmental initiatives, meet community organisations and explore projects focused on protecting and shaping the future of the region’s seas.

Food lovers can enjoy a selection of locally produced dishes from Pembrokeshire Beach Food, while families will find plenty of activities designed to inspire curiosity about marine life and coastal heritage.

Organisers say the festival aims to celebrate the county’s unique coastal environment while encouraging people of all ages to connect with the ocean through learning, creativity and community engagement.

A full programme of talks, workshops and activities is expected to be released ahead of the event.

PLANS for a freshwater shower facility at a Pembrokeshire seaside harbour for cold water swimmers and other beach users have been given the go-ahead by the national park.

In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Kerry Evans sought permission for a cold freshwater shower set in a coastal garden rockery at an area of raised plant bed between the slipway and car park at Saundersfoot Harbour.

Local community council Saundersfoot raised no objections to the proposal.

A supporting statement accompanying the application said: “This facility would be open to everyone – Saundersfoot residents and visitors year-round. A multi-headed cold shower would be located within a newly landscaped area, with an accessible path leading through a rockery style coastal garden.

“The wastewater from the shower will drain through a proprietary trap, then to a reservoir/sand trap and then into an appropriately sized soak away. The reservoir and soak away will enable water to be reused to keep the planting watered during the warmer months when the shower will be in more use.

“Signage will be provided to explain to users that soap and shampoo should not be used due to the wastewater being recycled and used for plant maintenance and the impact on the marine environment.

“The cold-water nature of the shower will also act as a deterrent to people doing this. The shower will be fitted with a flow cap and turn off automatically after a short time, to ensure that proper water management is built into the shower design.”

The application to the park is alongside a funding application to Visit Wales, the documents say.

“The addition of a freshwater shower in the village will provide a faculty for beach users, cold water swimmers and will encourage people to visit the beach and stay in the village longer as they will be able to remove excess salt and sand.

“Working with Saundersfoot Harbour (landowner) an existing raised flower bed has been identified as an ideal location for the shower at the top of the slipway between the pathway and the car park. The renewed planting design will be seen as an enhancement to the area and the proximity to a mains water supply within the nearby footway.

“The engineering work to connect to the main supply is much simplified avoiding the need for work within the highway and any potential road closures or traffic management.”

The application was conditionally approved by park planners.