News
Olympic champion to compete in the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals
TWICE Olympic champion Helen Glover has a new rowing focus – ready for action at a Wales World Championships that may well mark the start of an exciting journey for the sport, and she believes coastal rowing will only continue to grow around the UK and beyond.
This weekend Glover will compete in the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals hosted at Saundersfoot Harbour. Following an exciting recent announcement that coastal rowing is to be included in the 2026 Victoria Commonwealth Games, Beach Sprints are also eyeing a potential Olympic nomination for 2028.
As the sport grows fast, a home World Championships will continue to inspire more at a grassroots level to try the sport for the first time, whether they are transitioning from flat water rowing or coming into the sport with no experience. Reflecting on her journey into the sport as a relative newcomer herself, Helen praised the newer disciplines as fantastic additions to rowing’s proud tradition:
“In terms of a transition, it’s been easy because of people being welcoming and open minded. Everyone’s trying to learn about this sport because it’s just so fast growing, people want to make it work and make big things happen.
“It’s been really welcoming, training here in Wales. And it’s all kind of based around enjoying it, and everyone just having a great time and helping people learn about this new sport as quickly as they can.
When I first tried it, I wasn’t kind of deciding to make a transition or switch over. It was just a WhatsApp message that went round saying “who wants to try this out? It sounds fun.’
“I ended up going along to the occasional session, just to try a new fun type of rowing. I ended up getting selected for the world’s team! I never necessarily had it in my sights or thought this would be my new sport or anything like that. I just really enjoyed it, and every time I turned up there were more opportunities to try it again.
Anyone hoping to enter the sport at a grassroots level could well have a lot to aspire for in the near future, with many hoping to see it on an even bigger stage and an opportunity for rowing to attract wider and more diverse audiences. Helen said:
“I wouldn’t at all be surprised if it did end up at the Olympic Games. I think events like this weekend will be really important because it’ll showcase what the sport can do.
“Even I haven’t seen what it can do at this scale yet – I haven’t been to an event like this, an international event in all its glory. I think it will be really important to showcase to the world and rest of the UK what Beach Sprints can bring on that big scale.
“I think the accessibility thing is something that’s always an important aspect of Olympics sports, and Beach Sprints does have this in a really strong way. If you haven’t tried it before, it’s such a welcoming community. I’ve really experienced a lot of this feeling of appreciation of where you are, feeling lucky to be out on the waves. I’ve always felt that with rowing but never more so than in coastal rowing.
It’s just an amazing sport to take up. It takes a lot of the skills, a lot of the fitness that you will already have, but it’ll just challenge you in different ways. Something about rowers like that challenge, they look for that challenge. Everything’s happening at once, at crazy speed. It’s manic – but it’s all good fun.”


News
Crash on Freeman’s Way causes school-run chaos across Haverfordwest
Major delays leave pupils stranded, buses running late and traffic backed up across the town after morning collision
ONE person was taken to hospital after a two-vehicle crash caused widespread disruption in Haverfordwest during the morning school run.
Dyfed-Powys Police said officers were called to the collision on the A4076 Freeman’s Way at around 7:10am on Thursday (June 18).
The road was closed while emergency services dealt with the incident, leading to long tailbacks on routes into town.
Many children were late for school, with some school buses arriving after 10:00am. Some pupils being dropped off at Haverfordwest Bus Station for the St Davids school bus are also understood to have missed their connection.
Police said one person was taken to hospital to be checked over following the collision.
The road reopened shortly before 10:30am.
News
Motorcyclist, 22, dies in A4075 crash
A 22-year-old woman remains in hospital after two-vehicle collision
A MOTORCYCLIST has died following a serious two-vehicle crash on the A4075 between Canaston Bridge and Yerbeston.
Dyfed-Powys Police said the collision happened at around 6:20pm on Wednesday (June 17) and involved a grey Kia Sorento and a white Yamaha motorcycle.
The rider of the motorcycle, a 22-year-old man, died at the scene.
A 22-year-old woman who was travelling as a pillion passenger was taken to hospital, where she remains.
Police said the rider’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.
The driver of the Kia Sorento, a 60-year-old man, was not injured.
Road remains closed
The A4075 remained closed while collision investigators examined the scene, and motorists were advised to avoid the area and use alternative routes.
Investigating officers are appealing for witnesses and would like to speak to anyone who was travelling along the A4075 at the relevant time.
They are also asking motorists with dashcam footage from the area to come forward.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online, by emailing [email protected], by direct message on social media, or by calling 101.
Please quote reference 362 of June 17.
News
More than 240 organisations back call for fairer Wales
Senedd statement urges action on rising costs, climate change, nature loss and insecure livelihoods
MORE than 240 organisations from across Wales have backed a Senedd call for urgent action to build a fairer, greener and more resilient nation.
The Statement of Opinion, tabled by Niamh Salkeld MS, supports the Cymru Together campaign and calls on the Welsh Government to respond to the linked crises of rising living costs, insecure livelihoods, climate change and nature loss.
Ahead of the 2026 Senedd election, more than 240 organisations signed an open letter under the Cymru Together banner, urging political parties to work together on Wales’ most pressing challenges.
The statement calls on ministers to invest in warmer homes and cheaper renewable energy, ensure renewable energy creates community wealth and supports workers, and restore nature by supporting farmers to produce food sustainably while making polluters pay.
It also says climate action in Wales can support communities around the world already facing the worst effects of climate change, while delivering practical improvements to everyday life at home.
Niamh Salkeld MS said: “For communities like mine in Blaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni, this is about fairness.
“We know that if we get this right, we can tackle the cost-of-living crisis, strengthen our communities and create a more secure future.
“We also know the cost of doing nothing is higher energy bills, more extreme weather and fewer opportunities for future generations.”
Bethan Sayed, Head of Politics at Climate Cymru, said Wales was at a “pivotal moment”.
She said: “Climate action is not a burden on Wales: it is an opportunity to build warmer homes, create good jobs, restore our natural environment, and deliver a fairer future for everyone who calls Wales home.”
Stan Townsend, Head of Policy at Climate Cymru, said the proposals were “practical priorities” that could make a real difference.
He said: “Investing in home efficiency cuts energy bills for households, community ownership of renewable energy gives us the chance to keep more wealth in our communities, and supporting farmers to farm sustainably protects the land and the livelihoods that depend on it.”
Cerith Griffiths, a former firefighter and FBU trade union official, said the campaign connected climate action with lower energy bills, good jobs and healthier communities.
Global Climate Justice Cymru said the statement recognised that “what Wales does matters beyond our borders”, while Race Council Cymru said the campaign showed how climate action could help reduce living costs and create new opportunities.
Cymru Together describes itself as a growing movement of more than 240 organisations calling for a fairer and healthier Wales.
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