Lifeguard supervisor attended special reception marking Queen Elizabeth II centenary

A PEMBROKESHIRE RNLI lifeguard has represented Wales at Buckingham Palace during a special event marking the centenary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth.

Matty McLeod, RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor for North Pembrokeshire, attended the reception on Tuesday (Apr 21) alongside three other RNLI representatives, with one chosen from each UK nation.

The event commemorated the legacy of Queen Elizabeth II, who was the RNLI’s longest-serving patron. Her Late Majesty held the role for 70 years.

RNLI Chief Executive Peter Sparkes said: “It was a great honour for the RNLI to be represented at Buckingham Palace as part of this national occasion.

“Queen Elizabeth II’s unwavering support to the RNLI meant a great deal to our volunteers and staff, and the reception provided a fitting opportunity to reflect on The Late Queen’s extraordinary dedication to saving lives at sea.”

Matty, who has been part of the RNLI for 12 years, was nominated in recognition of his dedication and service to the lifesaving charity.

This year also marks 25 years of RNLI lifeguarding across the UK and Channel Islands.

Growing up on the coast and becoming a keen surfer, Matty developed a strong interest in water safety and helping people around the coastline.

He said: “I feel very grateful to have attended such a prestigious occasion and represent Wales and West RNLI lifeguards in their 25th anniversary year.”

Queen Elizabeth II was a much-loved member of the RNLI family for seven decades. During that time, the charity’s lifeboat crews and lifeguards saved 65,979 lives.

Her Late Majesty attended many RNLI occasions during her reign and recognised the efforts of thousands of RNLI volunteers through visits to lifeboat stations, national honours, and Jubilee medals issued to RNLI crew in 1977, 2002, 2012 and 2022.

Her connection with the charity included the opening of the RNLI College in Poole on July 24, 2004, accompanied by Prince Philip and the RNLI President, the Duke of Kent.

Queen Elizabeth II’s final official engagement on behalf of the RNLI took place on May 17, 2013, when she unveiled a plaque at St Ives Lifeboat Station in Cornwall and met the volunteer lifeboat crew and fundraisers.

CAREW CASTLE will host its annual Classic Car Show on Monday, May 4, from 10:00am to 3:00pm.

The popular event, one of the highlights of the local spring calendar, will see classic and vintage cars, motorbikes and military vehicles on display against the historic backdrop of Carew Castle.

Vehicles from across south Wales are expected to take part, with the show again offering a day out for motoring enthusiasts, families and visitors to the castle.

There will also be live music throughout the day from local folk band Razor Bill, along with a mini funfair run by Pembrokeshire Attractions.

Food and drink will be available on site, with Nest Tearoom serving light lunches, homemade cakes and coffee. Fresh bacon rolls will also be on sale in the Walled Garden.

Families visiting over the Bank Holiday weekend can also take part in Time Traveller’s Quest, a new treasure hunt running daily from Saturday, May 2, between 10:00am and 4:00pm.

The self-led activity invites children and families to explore Carew Castle’s past, travelling from the Iron Age through the Medieval and Elizabethan periods and into World War Two.

Using a smartphone, participants can uncover clues and secrets hidden within the castle walls as part of an interactive journey through history.

The treasure hunt costs £2.50 per child, with normal admission fees applying. It is bilingual in Welsh and English and includes stepped access.

The manager of Carew Castle, Daisy Hughes said: “The Classic Car Show is always one of the most anticipated events in our calendar.

“It brings together a wonderful mix of heritage, community and family fun, and there is always a fantastic atmosphere on the day.

“With live music, fairground rides and plenty to explore around the site, it promises to be a brilliant Bank Holiday day.”

No advance booking is required.

The event is weather dependent and may be cancelled in poor conditions.

For the latest updates, visit www.carewcastle.com or follow Carew Castle and Tidal Mill on Facebook.

Caption:

Classic day out: Carew Castle will host its annual car show on Monday, May 4 (Pic: Carew Castle).

THE NUMBER of Welsh speakers living in Wales has fallen for the second year in a row, according to the latest annual population survey.

Figures published on Wednesday (Apr 22) show that 844,300 people aged three and over were able to speak Welsh in the year ending December 31, 2025.

That represents 27.3% of the population.

The figure is down from 896,300, or 29.2%, in the year ending December 31, 2023.

Despite the recent fall, the overall trend since 2010 remains upward. In March 2010, the survey recorded 731,000 Welsh speakers in Wales, equivalent to 25.2% of the population.

The Welsh Government said the latest data showed that the number of Welsh speakers had “declined in general over the past two years”, but added that the longer-term picture since 2010 was still one of growth.

However, officials have also urged caution when interpreting the figures.

The Annual Population Survey has seen falling sample sizes in recent years, and the estimates have not been reweighted to the latest population estimates. As a result, the Office for Statistics Regulation has agreed that the figures should no longer be treated as accredited official statistics for the time being.

The Welsh Government says the census remains the key source for measuring the number of Welsh speakers in Wales.

According to census data, the number of Welsh speakers was 582,400 in 2001, 562,000 in 2011, and 538,300 in 2021.

Cardiff had the highest estimated number of Welsh speakers in the 2025 survey, with 96,800, followed by Gwynedd with 91,300 and Carmarthenshire with 88,100.

The lowest estimated numbers were in Blaenau Gwent, with 8,200, and Merthyr Tydfil, with 10,200.

Gwynedd had the highest estimated percentage of Welsh speakers, at 74.7%, followed by Anglesey at 63.5%.

The lowest percentages were recorded in Blaenau Gwent, at 12.1%, and Bridgend, at 15.5%.

Children and young people aged three to fifteen remain the age group most likely to speak Welsh, with 48.8%, or 237,900, reporting that they could do so.

But the percentage of children and young people able to speak Welsh has generally fallen since the start of 2019.

The survey also found that 14.5% of people aged three and over, around 448,800 people, said they spoke Welsh daily.

A further 4.9%, or 151,200 people, said they spoke Welsh weekly, while 6.5%, or 200,400 people, said they spoke it less often.

Around 43,500 people said they could speak Welsh but never did so.

The figures also showed that 31.5% of people could understand spoken Welsh, 24.9% could read Welsh, and 22.3% could write in Welsh.