Community

Team from Neyland Rowing Club to row the Atlantic unsupported

Published

2 years ago

May 20, 2024

IN JANUARY, Cruising Free, a team of rowers from Neyland Rowing Club, Pembrokeshire, will begin their 3200-mile unsupported row across the Atlantic. Part of the Atlantic Dash 2025, one of the toughest endurance events in the world, the team’s challenge will set off from Lanzarote in the Canary Islands and end in Antigua in the Caribbean.

The team will be attempting to break two world records and raise money for both Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Paul Sartori, Hospice at Home.

Sophie, 31, is the youngest member of the team and is living with cystic fibrosis (CF). She hopes to become the first person with the condition to row the Atlantic, and any ocean. Janine, 69, will be 70 when she undertakes the challenge and hopes to become the oldest woman to row the Atlantic, and any ocean.

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disease caused by a faulty gene. This gene controls the movement of salt and water in and out of your cells, so the lungs and digestive system become clogged with mucus, making it hard to breathe and digest food. There are over 11,000 people with CF living in the UK. Of those who died from cystic fibrosis in 2022, the median age of death was just 33 years of age.

Sophie said: “Three years ago I was incredibly lucky to gain access to a drug trial for a modulator drug, and to put it simply, it has changed my life. With a new level of health that I never ever thought I’d have, it was time to think about new possibilities, which led me to think about rowing across the Atlantic Ocean. Living with cystic fibrosis has given me times when I’ve not been well enough to live the life I’ve wanted to, and so I absolutely want to make the most of my newfound health. For me, this row isn’t just a crazy personal adventure, it’s also a chance to reimagine the future of cystic fibrosis and bring hope that one day, everyone with CF will be able to cruise free through life.”

Sophie grew up believing her life expectancy would be no longer than 30 years, however, with new medication her life has been revolutionised. Though these medications have helped improve the lives of many, they do not work for everyone, and they are not a cure. Team Cruising Free are raising money for Cystic Fibrosis Trust, who through research and support, are working towards a future where everyone with CF can lead a long and full life.

Polly, 49, will be 50 when she rows the Atlantic. She said her life completely changed as a result of the pandemic, working as a nurse in the NHS. She describes the challenge as a bit of a midlife crisis, and with two teenage boys and a husband waiting at home, she said “when we are mid-Atlantic, I am looking forward to not having to wash muddy rugby kit or do the school-run for 6 weeks!”

Janine, 69 has been sea rowing for over 30 years; the nearest that she has come to ocean rowing is the rowing race across the Irish Sea. She has four children and six grandchildren and is retired from the NHS. She said: “Until recently I have always rejected the idea of rowing the Atlantic – it sounds really uncomfortable and difficult! But this time I realised that if I don’t do it now, then I may never do it. I am so lucky to have such an amazing team to complete this challenge with, and who will be there to help me gain the World Record for the oldest woman to have rowed an ocean.”

Paul Sartori Hospice at Home is a registered charity offering free, specialised supportive care and advice for those in the later stages of any life-limiting illness. During the end-of-life period of both her mother and father, Janine and her family benefited from the invaluable services provided by Paul Sartori Hospice at Home. The support that the family received enabled her parents to be with their loved ones at home in familiar surroundings. As a nurse, Polly has witnessed first-hand the complexities of the provision of end-of-life care and knows the importance of Paul Sartori’s supportive care and advice to those living in Pembrokeshire.

To find out more, and support Cruising Free, go to linktr.ee/cruisingfree

Community

Weather presenter spotted filming in Pembrokeshire

Published

3 hours ago

March 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A WELL-KNOWN Welsh weather presenter was spotted in Pembrokeshire as he filmed scenes for a new series celebrating the county’s coastline.

Derek Brockway, who has been a familiar face on BBC Wales since 1995, was in St Davids recently working on another instalment of his popular walking series along the Pembrokeshire Coast.

Local resident Thomas Tudor said it was “lovely” to meet the broadcaster during filming, posing for a photograph alongside his mother, Beryl Tudor, and sister, Bethan Thomas Price.

Brockway, who is based at BBC Cymru Wales in Cardiff, is widely known not only for his weather forecasts across television, radio and online, but also for his programmes showcasing Wales’ landscapes and coastal paths.

The latest filming in St Davids is expected to form part of an upcoming series highlighting the natural beauty and walking routes of Pembrokeshire, an area long regarded as one of the jewels in Wales’ tourism crown.

Community

Broad Haven volunteers secure ‘national asset’ status for nature reserve

Published

4 hours ago

March 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A SMALL stretch of woodland and former opencast coal mine has been transformed into a nationally recognised biodiversity site, in a major first for Wales.

The Slash Pond Community Nature Reserve has been awarded ‘Naturfa’ status, becoming the first community-managed site in Wales to receive the designation.

The recognition, confirmed by Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies, classifies the reserve as an “Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measure” (OECM). This means the volunteer-led work of the Support the Boardwalk group will now contribute directly to Wales’ 30×30 target – the global commitment to protect 30% of land, freshwater and sea for nature by 2030.

In a further boost, the site has also been included in the National Forest for Wales, recognising its role in strengthening a connected network of woodlands and habitats across the country.

Once a simple local walkway, the Slash Pond has developed into a thriving wildlife haven. The reserve now supports a wide range of species, including critically endangered European eels, otters, ten species of bat, and more than fifty species of birds, alongside diverse aquatic plants and insects.

Huw Irranca-Davies said: “These special places are a testament to the care and dedication of people working on the ground – securing a legacy for future generations. Nature can only thrive where habitats are resilient, protected and effectively managed.”

The new status is expected to unlock future funding opportunities, supporting long-term plans for maintaining the boardwalk, monitoring biodiversity and water quality, installing new signage, and expanding environmental education work with Broad Haven Primary School and the wider Havens community.

Andy Drumm, a volunteer with Support the Boardwalk, said: “We’ve always known how special the Slash Pond is, but this recognition puts it firmly on the map as a national asset. It’s a tribute to years of hard work and shows that local communities can lead the way in tackling the nature crisis.”

To mark the achievement, a Spring Family Fun Day will take place on Friday (May 9) from 1:00pm to 4:00pm at the Slash Pond car park.

The event will feature guided nature walks, pond dipping, a wildlife treasure trail, live music, and family activities including crafts and face painting. The official unveiling of the Naturfa certificate and new reserve branding will also take place, alongside the launch of a new book, From Culm to Calm: A History of the Slash Pond by local author David Meanwell.

Karen Riggs, a long-time volunteer, said: “This achievement belongs to everyone in Broad Haven who has supported the site over the years. We’re not just celebrating a new title – we’re celebrating what our community has built together.”

The day will also see the installation of new benches at the observation decks and the launch of a floating island habitat to support wildfowl and other bird species. Visitors will also be invited to share feedback on plans for an improved picnic area designed to withstand local flooding.

Naturfa is a Welsh Government initiative recognising areas outside traditional protected sites, such as SSSIs, that are managed in ways which deliver long-term benefits for biodiversity.

The Slash Pond Community Nature Reserve is managed by the Support the Boardwalk group in partnership with The Havens Community Council, and is maintained entirely by volunteers.

Further information and updates are available via the Support the Boardwalk Facebook page.

Community

Milford Haven salon named national awards finalist

Published

12 hours ago

March 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A local beauty therapist earns recognition in prestigious UK competition

A MILFORD HAVEN beauty therapist has been shortlisted for a major national award celebrating excellence in the hair and beauty industry.

Charlotte Mitchell-Johns, of The Attic Hair & Beauty, has been named a finalist in the Hair Extensions Specialist category at the UK Hair and Beauty Awards 2026.

Ms Mitchell-Johns, who is a Level four beauty therapist, also works as a hair extensions specialist and beauty educator with HB Training.

Speaking about the recognition, she said she was “truly honoured” to be named among the finalists.

She added that she believes the industry thrives on collaboration rather than competition, and that supporting others is key to long-term success.

Ms Mitchell-Johns has been recognised for her technical skill, commitment to clients, and efforts to maintain high standards within the beauty sector.

The UK Hair and Beauty Awards highlight leading professionals from across the country, celebrating talent, creativity and dedication within the industry.