PEMBROKESHIRE JUNIORS IMPRESS IN CARMARTHEN FIXTURE

PEMBROKESHIRE JUNIOR CHESS CLUB travelled to Carmarthen on Monday (April 7) for a friendly fixture against their slightly older, but less experienced, counterparts. The match marked Carmarthen’s first official game.

Thanks to Peter Evans for organising the event, which saw 20 young players competing in a friendly but competitive atmosphere. A terrific evening of chess followed, with players mixing and matching across boards, ensuring each had at least two games—some even playing three or four.

The result of the first match was a tightly contested draw, finishing 5-5.

Standout players on both sides

For Pembrokeshire, standout performances came from:

• Suki, with 3 wins
• Huw, with 2 wins
• Joe, with 1 win and a draw

For Carmarthen, Matthew, William, and Eric stood out with impressive performances.

A return fixture in Pembrokeshire is already being planned before the season concludes. The club also hopes to arrange additional matches against Redhill Prep School and Castell Nedd Chess Club on May 29.

Strong performances in Redhill Festival

Ten Pembrokeshire players also took part in the Redhill Primary School Festival over the weekend, all performing with distinction. Special mention goes to Joe and Harry, who both won their first four rounds and competed in the final—Joe winning Gold, and Harry securing Silver.

Coach Martin Jones said he has been delighted with the progress made by all players this season, including the club’s younger and less experienced members, who are also showing great promise.

Martin also recently competed in the Bristol Chess Congress, where he took first place in his section out of 62 entrants.

“It’s great to see chess flourishing in Pembrokeshire,” he said.

Pembrokeshire Team (in board order)

1. Barnaby Hinman – Ysgol Preseli
2. Joe Othen – Home Schooled
3. Harry Harling – Cosheston VC School
4. Huw Holliday – Redhill Prep
5. Sebastian Kummer – Neyland Community School
6. Jude Taylor – St Mark’s VA School
7. Henry Malone – Redhill High
8. Suki-Rose Heulwen – Ysgol Bro Penfro
9. Emily Thomas-Ward – Redhill Prep
10. Carys Callan – Redhill Prep

Photos:

1. Pembrokeshire Team
2. Combined Pembrokeshire & Carmarthen Teams

Research shows 15% of people have been cut off by the tide as spring tides coincide with Easter break

AS FAMILIES flock to the Welsh coast for the Easter school holidays, the RNLI has issued a stark warning following new research revealing widespread gaps in public understanding of tidal safety.

The joint survey by the RNLI and Bangor University found that around 15% of people in the UK and Ireland—equivalent to 10 million individuals—have either been cut off by the tide or had a near miss. Worryingly, many of these incidents involved people who had not intended to enter the water at all.

With spring tides forecast during the Easter break—when beaches are expected to be busy—the RNLI is urging extra caution. In Wales, being cut off by the tide accounts for almost 8% of all lifeboat launches over the last decade, more than double the UK average. On days with higher tides, areas not typically at risk can quickly become hazardous.

One of the worst-affected locations is Sully Island, where the RNLI is once again deploying volunteers to patrol the causeway during peak tidal periods. This initiative, launched last year, significantly reduced the number of people stranded by the tide. The RNLI is now appealing for more volunteers to support the project this season.

A key finding of the Bangor University survey was that 60% of those who had been cut off were shocked by the speed of the incoming tide.

The study also revealed that:

• Four in ten people have no basic understanding of how tides work.
• Only half of respondents said they check tide times before visiting the beach.
• Just 24% feel confident reading and interpreting a tide timetable.

To better understand these knowledge gaps, Bangor University’s Impact and Innovation Fund commissioned a multidisciplinary team—including a marine social scientist, an ocean scientist and a discourse analyst—to conduct a nationwide survey and interview tidal incident survivors. The findings will inform future public safety campaigns.

The RNLI recommends checking tide times using reliable online sources such as the Met Office before setting out, and reminds coastal visitors that tide times vary daily and by location.

Chris Cousens, RNLI Water Safety Lead for Wales, said: “The results of the survey are eye-opening and show that a large proportion of the public have gaps in tidal knowledge.

“We’ll be using these findings to shape future safety campaigns and educational efforts.

“With spring tides forecast, people may find themselves cut off faster than usual—sometimes in areas not normally at risk.

“It’s hard to imagine how a simple walk can turn dangerous so quickly. That’s why it’s vital to check tide times at the start of your day, watch for the tide turning, and always leave enough time to return safely.”

Dr Liz Morris-Webb, Honorary Research Fellow at Bangor University, added: “In my 25 years of coastal research, I’ve seen everyone from tourists to seasoned marine professionals caught out by tides.

“The stories shared by those we spoke to show how a relaxing day out can turn into a life-threatening situation.

“Thanks to those who contributed their experiences, we’re now in a stronger position to raise awareness and improve public safety messaging.”

The RNLI’s top tips for coastal safety this Easter:

• Check tide times before setting out. If you’re unsure, seek local advice.
• Choose a lifeguarded beach and always swim between the red and yellow flags.
• If you get into trouble in the water, remember: Float to Live. Lean back, keep your mouth above water, and try to control your breathing. Use your hands to stay afloat.
• In a coastal emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

FOUR original paintings of Sunderland flying boats have been donated to the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre by one of its leading supporters, Welsh aviation and military artist John Wynne Hopkins.

John, who lives in Llanelli, has also gifted several large prints and a collection of greetings cards, all depicting iconic images of the Sunderland aircraft.

“I have followed the excellent progress of the Heritage Trust over many years and I am so pleased that my art can support them,” said John. “The Sunderland is a favourite subject of mine and its long connections with Pembroke Dock have provided me with many topics to paint. I shall certainly continue this.”

The Heritage Centre already displays one of John’s earlier works — a dramatic World War I battlefield scene created in 2018 for its trench exhibit. The painting is featured in the original entrance of the Centre, housed in the former Royal Dockyard Chapel.

The Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre is open Monday to Friday, from 10:00am to 4:00pm.