News
Wales in top 5 in UK for alcohol and drug related drownings
THE ROYAL LIFE SAVING SOCIETY has shared its concern ahead of the festive period as it launches its Don’t Drink and Drown campaign on Monday 21 November.
Statistics from the Water Accident Incident Database (WAID) from the National Water Safety Forum for accidental drownings between 2017-2021, show that Wales ranks joint fourth in the UK, with the East of England and Yorkshire and the Humber, for the highest number of alcohol/drug related drownings in 16–25-year-olds.
Walessaw 6 alcohol/drug related drownings during this period and the charity fears that the winter months, which typically sees an increase in partygoers, will result in a spike in tragedies.
Don’t Drink and Drown will begin on Monday 21 November and run until 18 December. The campaign usually targets those who will be enjoying the festive period with their friends and family but with the home nations of England and Wales both qualifying for the tournament, the charity wants to encourage everyone who is heading out this winter to take extra care.
Don’t Drink and Drown is RLSS UK’s national campaign that encourages smart decision making whilst being drunk and the risks of drowning if near water. It particularly targets individuals to be responsible for their friends if they have had too much to drink; #BeAMate and help them to return home safely.
On average, each year 80 people lose their lives through substance-related drowning and the charity fears that a tournament such as this, at this time of year, may increase those tragic incidents.
Whether heading to the pub to watch a game, going to a work party, having a reunion with friends, or arranging a family gathering, the charity wants to ensure that everyone has the right knowledge around water safety, and chooses a route home away from the water after drinking.
Lee Heard, Charity Director at RLSS UK said, “This is the first time that the world cup will have been held during our wintertime, so it will be a completely different experience to what we have been used to in previous tournaments, when we may have seen people in pub beer gardens, watching the games on a big screen in the summer sun.
“This timing, paired with the celebrations around Christmas, raises concerns around water safety. We want to ensure that everyone enjoys the tournament and the festive period, but they are also able to stay safe around the various waterways on their routes home.”
Lee added: “We have prepared lots of messaging which will be shared during the four weeks of the campaign, encouraging everyone to take care, not only of themselves, but of their friends, whilst out drinking. We would like to encourage everyone to share these messages with their friends and family, so we can ensure that we equip as many people as possible with the right knowledge around water safety.”
With alcohol impairing our judgements, limiting muscle ability, slowing down reactions and numbing our senses, this can mean that even for strong swimmers, entering the water after drinking can be extremely dangerous. Statistics show that 45% of drownings of those aged 16-25 cited alcohol or drugs and where known, over half of alcohol/drug related drownings occurred between 11pm and 5am, which is five times higher than those that weren’t alcohol/drug related. (WAID, 2021)
RLSS UK research also shows that three in four of people who drowned were not with someone they knew when they drowned; therefore one of the charity’s key messages is to be a mate and ensure that your friends get home safely, stick together and find a route home away from the water.
For further detail on RLSS UK’s Don’t Drink and Drown campaign visit www.rlss.org.uk/dont-drink-and-drown where you can also download resources to spread the word and help keep your friends and family safe this winter.
Climate
Blue sea creatures wash up on Welsh beaches including Tenby
VISITORS to Welsh beaches have been warned not to touch unusual blue sea creatures which have washed ashore along parts of the coastline.
Hundreds of velella velella, commonly known as by-the-wind sailors, have been reported on beaches in Anglesey, Gwynedd and Tenby.
The small, bright blue marine creatures are free-floating hydrozoans and are related to Portuguese man o’ war, sea anemones and corals.
They get their name from a small sail-like structure on their body, which catches the wind and carries them across the surface of the sea.
One was spotted on Tenby South Beach on Tuesday (Jun 16), where beachgoer Maxine Allinson described it as “fantastic” and “like a crystal”.
Marine experts say the creatures are often seen after changes in currents or stormy weather, which can push large numbers ashore at the same time.
Although they are much smaller and less dangerous than Portuguese man o’ war, they do have stinging cells.
Their sting is usually mild, but people are being advised not to pick them up, especially as contact with the face, lips or sensitive skin could cause pain or tingling.
Experts also warn that the stinging cells can remain active even after the creatures appear to be dead on the beach.
The advice is to admire them from a safe distance and leave them where they are.
Caption: Maxine Allinson spotted a velella velella on Tenby South beach Tuesday
Local Government
Mayor to hold drop-in session for Haverfordwest residents
HAVERFORDWEST residents will have the chance to raise ideas, concerns and local issues directly with the town’s mayor this week.
Cllr Randell Izaiah Thomas-Turner will hold a Talk to Your Mayor session on Thursday, from 12:00pm until 2:00pm.
The initiative is aimed at giving residents an opportunity to speak directly with the mayor about matters affecting the town and wider community.
Cllr Thomas-Turner said communication and engagement were “vital”, adding that the session was about listening to local people, working together, and ensuring every voice had the opportunity to be heard.
Anyone wishing to book an appointment is asked to contact the Haverfordwest Town Council town clerk.
The mayor said: “Together, we can continue building a stronger and more connected community. Together we can make Haverfordwest the best in the west.”

News
Senedd rejects Reform call to end Welsh Government international spending
THE SENEDD has rejected a Reform UK motion calling for an end to all Welsh Government international spending, after a heated debate which saw several Members walk out of the chamber.
The motion, tabled by Reform MS Llŷr Powell, was defeated by 48 votes to 37 on Wednesday (Jun 17).

An amended motion, backing Wales’ reputation as an “internationalist, tolerant and outward-looking nation”, was then passed by the same margin.
The debate followed warnings from Hub Cymru Africa and other campaigners that ending international spending would damage Wales’ global reputation and undermine projects linking Welsh communities with partners overseas.
Reform argued that Welsh Government money should be focused on domestic pressures, including the NHS, schools, transport and the cost of living.
Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar backed the Reform motion, saying foreign relations and international development were matters for the UK Government rather than Cardiff Bay.
But Plaid Cymru and Welsh Government speakers rejected that argument, saying Wales’ international work supported trade, public services, education, health partnerships and the country’s reputation abroad.

The debate became heated after comments by Reform MS Joe Martin, who criticised overseas schemes including beekeeping and tree-planting projects in Uganda.
Several MSs left the Siambr during his contribution, with the Llywydd later urging Members to reflect on the tone of the debate.
Hub Cymru Africa had said before the vote that Wales’ international solidarity budget represented a tiny fraction of overall spending and helped deliver work in public health, climate action, women’s empowerment and sustainable development.
The organisation said the vote was an opportunity for the Senedd to reaffirm Wales’ place in the world.
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