IN LIGHT of the shocking statistic that an average of 45 people drown in Wales every year, the Welsh Government has pledged its support to a vision of Wales without drowning.

A funding package is being delivered to Water Safety Wales – a collaboration of organisations with an interest in water safety and drowning prevention.

Welsh Government support to ensure the effective delivery of Wales’ Drowning Prevention Strategy 2020-2026 comes in light of statistics revealing the drowning rate in Wales is roughly double that of the UK as a whole. In addition:

• 48 people lost their lives in water related fatalities in 2022.  
• 1,755 water related incidents in Wales required an emergency response each year, equating to around five every day (WDPS 2020-2026).
• Figures collated by Swim Wales show only 41 per cent of children in Years 3-6 in Wales can swim.

The Welsh Government is committed to promoting the safe participation in water activities and today’s announcement will support the strategy’s aims to enable the safe enjoyments of of Wales’ coast and inland waters. An event will take place at the Pier Head to celebrate the strengthened link between Water Safety Wales and the Welsh Government, with key note speakers.

Huw Irranca-Davies, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs will address the event on Wednesday. He says: “I am grateful to all of those working to improve water safety awareness and help reduce the number of water-related incidents and fatalities in Wales.

“Through the achievement and recognition of the Mark Allen’s Law petition, we are not just commemorating a life lost but taking positive steps to protecting others.

“The Senedd Petition Committee’s recommendations are comprehensive and we are committed to addressing the challenges that contribute to water related incidents in Wales.

“Through our collaborative work with partners, we will continue to identify and address hazards, foster a culture of water safety from an early age and keep our waters as safe as possible.”

Chris Cousens, Water Safety Wales chair says: ‘Wales’ seas and inland open waters – enjoyed by millions each year – are the best anywhere in the world and we want to help people enjoy them safely. We are  delighted to have the support of the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs and his teams in reducing drowning in Wales. The financial support provided will allow a step change in our efforts to effectively deliver Wales’ Drowning Prevention Strategy 2020-2026. We hope it is a first step toward a long and close relationship working on drowning prevention in Wales in the years to come.’

The strategy promotes a consistent and common approach to water safety, drowning prevention and water safety education and awareness. It aims to work in a collaborative multi-agency approach to identify and target harden areas of risk and develop and implement Wales’ Drowning Prevention Strategy 2020-26.

Amount the aims are promoting public awareness of water-related risks and the safe participation in water activities across Wales, developing learning to swim and water safety education.

The group also works closely with families affected by water-related incidents and welcoming the proposal is Leanne Bartley from Ruthin, mum of Mark Allen who sadly died in an incident at a reservoir in 2018. Leeanne’s petition was a catalyst for change and she will be speaking of her experiences at the event.

Leanne says: ‘To lose a loved one to drowning is truly devastating; the impact on families left behind is shattering. Nothing I do will bring back Mark, but what I can do is help ensure other families don’t have to suffer in the way we have. The sad thing is the majority of drowning incidents are preventable, which is why I’m committed to working alongside Water Safety Wales to highlight the risk and work towards the vision of a Wales without drowning. To have this support from Welsh Government is a massive step forward, we are incredibly grateful for this support.’

• Normal? Define “normal”

EMBRACE the bizarre and celebrate the unconventional as Saundersfoot Footlights proudly presents “The Addams Family, the Musical”! In a world where “normal” is a relative term, the iconic Addams clan invites you to delve into their delightfully macabre universe. As we plunge headfirst into rehearsals, it’s abundantly clear: we’re having a monstrous amount of fun!

Their dedicated cast is pulling out all the stops, honing every song and dance number to perfection. Get ready for a spine-tingling spectacle that will leave you spellbound! With its unforgettable characters and jaw-dropping costumes, “The Addams Family” promises an evening of eerie entertainment like no other.

What sets this production apart is the attention to detail given to every ensemble member. Even without uttering a word, each performer breathes life into their character, weaving a silent yet captivating narrative. The Ancestors, in particular, add a hauntingly beautiful dimension to the show, their graceful movements choreographing the chaos that ensues whenever the Addams are involved.

Prepare for a rollercoaster ride of crazy antics, eccentric personalities, and a whole lot of love, especially when Morticia and Gomez take the stage for the mesmerizing “Tango De Amor”. And fear not! Our Musical Director is dedicated to ensuring that every note sung resonates with perfection, prioritizing the health and wellbeing of our cast throughout.

Meanwhile, behind the scenes, their set and props team are working tirelessly to transport audiences into the eerie elegance of the Addams Mansion. From crafting their own slice of Central Park to meticulously designing a haunting graveyard, every detail is meticulously crafted to immerse you in the Addams experience.

Of course, no Addams production would be complete without its iconic costumes. Each outfit is a work of art, breathing life into the characters and adding an extra layer of magic to the performance.

And let’s not forget our versatile tech crew, masters of light, sound, smoke, and pyrotechnics. With their expertise, they bring a touch of theatrical wizardry to every scene, ensuring a seamless and unforgettable experience for all.

Tickets are available NOW! Don’t miss your chance to join the madness from Monday, May 27th to Saturday, June 1st at The Regency Hall in Saundersfoot. Book online at www.Saundersfootamdram.co.uk or grab yours directly from The Regency Hall box office.

Prepare to be enchanted, amused, and thoroughly spooked as the Addams Family descends upon Saundersfoot. See you there… if you dare!

CURRENT forecasts are for high pollen counts from today until Sunday across Wales, and airborne allergens expert has said. Max Wiseberg added: “This is not good news for hay fever sufferers across Wales. The main culprit is oak pollen which is now in peak season and there are some early grass pollens.”

Max continues, “However, better news is that, whilst there is no cure for hay fever, there are many measures and precautions you can take to help reduce the effects of the pollen. Although many hay fever sufferers find that nothing really works or that some remedies help, but nothing does the whole job, or what worked last year doesn’t work today, there is another way. A novel approach is to combine products for greater effect, and create your own ‘Hay Fever First Aid Kit’.”

“So if nothing works on its own, or your symptoms are particularly severe on a given day, create your own Hay Fever First Aid Kit, in other words use a combination of products, which can be complementary to one another. I suggest that your ideal Hay Fever First Aid Kit will consist of a prevention, such as HayMax organic drug-free allergen barrier balm, one (and only one) antihistamine, one (and only one) nasal spray, eye drops and one or more other natural products,”

Max goes on to explain how all the elements of a Hay Fever First Aid Kit work:

“The first thing is to avoid the pollen in the first place with an organic allergen barrier balm such as HayMax applied around the nostrils and bones of the eyes to help stop pollen getting in.”

“There are several forms of medication you can take that seek to reduce the effects of the pollen on the body.

• Try an antihistamine, to counteract the effects of too many histamines, the body’s reaction to too much pollen; the most common are acrivastine, cetirizine, chlorphenamine, desloratadine, fexofenadine and loratadine.
• Use a steroid nasal spray, which works by fighting inflammation and mucus production, helping clear nasal symptoms – itching, sneezing, watering and congestion.
• Eye drops work in one of three ways; some stop the histamine release, some are anti-inflammatory and others block the inflammation caused by histamine.
• There are several types of each, so if one doesn’t work particularly well or stops working, it’s worth trying another.”

“There are many other drug-free and natural products available for hay fever sufferers.

• Quercetin is thought to limit the release of histamine; found naturally in many foods, it can also be taken in a capsule.
• Butterbur is a herbal extract believed to have an antihistamine-like effect on hay fever symptoms and is available in capsules.
• Immune boosting wellness formulae, such as Bee Prepared Daily Defence Immune Support which contains only all natural ingredients that help support the immune system, help the body fight the effects of the pollen.”