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https://www.fogolf.com/1055930/final-match-drama-in-golf-cup-fixture/ Final match drama in golf cup fixture #DramaticMoments #Fixture #Golf #GolfNews #LanglandBay #Match #TenbyGolfClub #TorrentialDownpours

Langland Bay tennis court site may be redeveloped to include new leisure facilities

A stretch of land overlooking Langland Bay, including three under-used tennis courts and a vacant building, may soon be redeveloped to offer new public facilities in one of Swansea’s most popular coastal areas.

The site — located on Alma Road and bordering the Gower National Landscape — sits adjacent to refurbished courts leased to Mumbles Community Council, which are not part of the proposal. Public toilets and shower facilities on the site would need to be retained or replaced as part of any future scheme.

The site of the under-used Langland Bay tennis courts that may be redeveloped
(Image: Swansea Council)Langland Bay from the air, with the possible development site outlined in red.
(Image: Savills)Langland Bay from the air, with the possible development site outlined in red.
(Image: Savills)Buildings on the Langland Bay site that may be redeveloped; public toilets and shower facilities will remain
(Image: Swansea Council)Buildings on the Langland Bay site that may be redeveloped; public toilets and shower facilities will remain
(Image: Swansea Council)The development site next to Langland’s iconic beach huts
(Image: Savills)

Several years ago, Swansea Council conducted a public consultation on the site’s potential, with responses pointing to demand for restaurants, tourist accommodation, and improved facilities. While no formal plans have been submitted, land and property consultants Savills are now marketing the land on behalf of the council.

The council has said it would ring-fence proceeds from any long lease arrangement for future reinvestment, and that any proposal would be subject to full planning approval and public input.

Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council cabinet member for investment, regeneration, events and tourism, said: “We want something in keeping with the local environment — so no high-rise developments. The public continually tell us there should be more facilities for them along the seafront.”

The current high-quality Langland Bay tennis courts that that will remain
(Image: Swansea Council)

A changing coastline with deep community roots

Langland Bay has long played a central role in Swansea’s leisure economy. In the early 20th century, the former Langland Bay Hotel operated eight grass courts and hosted tournaments that attracted competitors from across the UK. The current tennis courts were once home to junior championships featuring athletes like Andy Murray and JPR Williams — part of a local legacy that has seen renewed interest in recent years, including a refurbishment campaign completed in 2020.

The bay recently retained its Blue Flag status for water quality and environmental excellence, and continues to draw visitors for its café, brasserie, golf club and beach huts. The area also ranks high on Swansea’s property market — a recent report revealed that four of the city’s ten most expensive streets are located in Langland.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Four Swansea beaches named among Wales’ best in prestigious Wales Coast Awards
Langland Bay retains its Blue Flag status alongside other key stretches of Swansea coastline.

Swansea’s most and least expensive streets revealed
Langland ranked highly in the city’s top property locations.

The site is now being marketed through Savills, with further details available via: https://www.bit.ly/LBaug25

#AlmaRoad #CllrRobertFrancisDavies #featured #Gower #LanglandBay #LanglandBayTennisCourts #Mumbles #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil

The site of the under-used Langland Bay tennis courts that may be redeveloped. Pics: Swansea Council

The site of the under-used Langland Bay tennis courts that may be redeveloped

Langland Bay from the air, with the possible development site outlined in red.

Scientist explains why Welsh beaches are inundated with Jellyfish this summer

As the waters off Wales get warmer, they create a more favourable environment for the reproduction and survival of jellyfish, leading to a booming population of them in British and Irish seas – and even rivers!

While these creatures are fascinating, they can, in many cases, deliver a painful sting to bathers. Although in the UK none are known to eb fatals, they can seriosuly ruin a day at the beach!

It’s also worth remembering that if they sting small children and pets they cause serious reactions. So, it’s worth knowing which jellyfish you’ve encountered and which ones to avoid.

Moon Jellyfish on Rhossili Beach
(Image: Adrian Platt / Geograph)

Jellyfish Species currently living

Moon Jellyfish (Aurelia aurita): This jellyfish has a translucent dome shaped bell with four distinct horseshoe-shaped purple rings (called gonads) visible through its bell. This jellyfish delivers a mild sting. The most commong jellyfish in british waters, hundreds of these have been spotted in the waters and washed up near Porthmadog this month.

Lion’s Mane Jellyfish (Cyanea capillata): This jellyfish is usually a yellow,orange or brown colour and is famous for its long and trailing tentacles. It can deliver a painful sting if you encounter it while swimming.

Barrel Jellyfish (Rhizostoma pulmo): This large mushroom shaped jellyfish can be white, baby pink or pale blue and is sometimes fringed with purple markings, it has a large, robust bell and is usually white or pale blue. Its sting is usually mild.

Compass Jellyfish (Chrysaora hysoscella): this Jellyfish has a clear or yellow tinged bell and has distinctive brown markings that radiate from its centre like a compass. It can deliver a painful sting. These are fequently spotted on the waters around Anglesey.

Mauve Stinger (Pelagia noctiluca): As its name would suggest this jellyfish had a deep purple coloured bell with dark wart-like patterns. It has four frilled arms and eight long tentacles. Another jellyfish known for its painful sting.

Portuguese Man o’ War (Physalia physalis): Technically not a jellyfish, however if its long venomous tentacles deliver a serious sting, you’re unlikely to be too worried about technicalities. Its trailing tentacles are attached to a distinctive blue, balloon-like float. Keep pets and children away from them if spotted.

Portuguese Man o’ War on Langland Beach

Genevieve Watson, Biologist at KISTERS explains why Jellyfish have become such a common sight on British beaches in recent years: “Rising sea temperatures are having a direct impact on marine life in all kinds of ways. Warmer waters can expand the habitat of marine species such as stingrays and jellyfish, allowing them to thrive in our coastal regions – areas that would have previously been too cold for them.

“This is something that feels particularly noticeable as we are seeing these changes happening within our lifetimes.

“Few of us will look back to our childhood and remember ever seeing a stingray or jellyfish in the water at the seaside, but actually, for our children and grandchildren, this could be an increasingly common sight.

“It’s most noticeable with jellyfish, as they are able to thrive in conditions that other marine life may not, because of their higher resilience to warmer temperatures.

“We’ve seen increased reports over recent years of jellyfish blooms on the Welsh coast as their population has exploded due to increasingly warm waters, it’s highly possible that stingrays could be next.”

#beach #Environment #jellyfish #LanglandBay #OxwichBay #RhossiliBeach

Beach-goers urged to back ban on ‘flying ring’ frisbees

The cute and inquisitive creatures have made their home on rocky outcrops around Gower, but their lives are put at risk by the discarded doughnut-shaped flying rings which can snare them round their necks.

Swansea Council says it has already been working with Gower Seal Group, local schools and businesses on Gower to promote the ban after passing a notice of motion that aims to see an end to the use of the rings anywhere near wildlife along the area’s coastline.

Gower businesses Pitton Cross Caravan and Camping, Kennexstone Camping and Touring Park, and Surfside Café, Langland, Northway Garage, Bishopston have already voluntarily stopped selling them.

Gower Seal Group continue to visit schools in the area to talk to youngsters about seals and other marine life, spotlighting how they can support the effort.

Beach-goers are being urged to support a voluntary ban on ‘flying ring’ frisbees

Gareth Richards, Founder of Gower Seal Group and Vice Chair of the UK Seal Alliance Executive, said: “Nobody buys a flying ring with the intention of causing pain and suffering to seals. But that’s what can happen if a flying ring is lost or discarded at a beach or near a waterway.

“A seal’s natural curiosity and playfulness when finding a flying ring in the water soon becomes a nightmare when, very quickly, they find themselves trapped by one around their neck.”

He said the creatures can’t free themselves of this entanglement and as they grow the ring tightens restricts their movement and will often cause pain, suffering and ultimately death.

And now the seal group is planning a national campaign to ‘Save Our Seals From Flying Rings’, launching on May 26, which includes a petition calling on the Government to ban the import of flying rings and to councils across the UK to ban them.

Mr Richards said: “That’s why we are extremely grateful to councillors in Swansea for continuing to support this campaign and showing leadership to protect our visiting seals from suffering by not supporting the sale or use of flying rings in our area.”

Andrew Stevens, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said: “We fully support what Gower Seal Group is doing to protect our seals. We are so lucky to have seals near many of our beaches in Swansea and Gower.

“The vast majority of the many thousands of people who visit Gower every year treat the area, its wildlife and its coastline with respect. Along with the Gower Seal Group we are urging visitors to play their part to protect our seal population as well.”

Rocky coastal spots such as Limeslade and Bracelet Bay, as well as Port Eynon and Langland Bay have all been known to provide resting spots for groups of seals as well as thousands of visiting public every year.

Seals spend around 80% of their time at sea and come ashore along Gower to rest, sleep and digest their food.

The short time they are on land is vital to their health but also makes them vulnerable to the impact of humans on their lives.

#beaches #BraceletBay #Environment #frisbee #Gower #GowerSealGroup #LanglandBay #Limeslade #PortEynon #Seals #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil

Seal with a flying ring frisbee stuck around its neck

Beach-goers are being urged to support a voluntary ban on 'flying ring' frisbees

Four Swansea beaches named among Wales’ best in prestigious Wales Coast Awards

Environmental charity Keep Wales Tidy today announced the recipients of the much-coveted annual awards, with three beaches receiving the globally-recognised Blue Flag Awards, and one receiving a Green Coast Award.

A total of 49 beaches across Wales were recognised in the awards, which play a vital role in protecting our precious marine environment and are known around the world as a symbol of quality.

Caswell Bay, Langland Bay and Port Eynon, all in Gower, all retained their status as Blue Flag beaches. This is one of the world’s most recognised awards for beaches, marinas and tourism boats, recognising not only the highest standards of water quality, but also high-quality amenities, sustainable development of tourism, information provision, environmental education, safety and access, and site management

Port Eynon has retained its Blue Flag status
(Image: Swansea Council)Caswell Bay is another of Swansea’s Blue Flag beaches
(Image: Swansea Council)Blue Flag award winner, Langland Bay beach
(Image: Swansea Council)

The three locations were among 21 across Wales achieving the Blue Flag accolade. Awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), beaches must adhere to specific criteria ensuring the beach or marina is clean, safe, and well-managed, promoting sustainability and attracting visitors.

In addition, Bracelet Bay, on Mumbles Head, retained its status as a Green Coast Award-winning beach, one of 15 locations in Wales to achieve the award which celebrate the ‘hidden gems’ of the Welsh coastline. The Green Coast Award celebrates Bracelet Bay as an exceptional place to enjoy stunning scenery, rich coastal heritage and diversity. It joins the likes of Mwnt and Penbryn in Ceredigion, and Freshwater East and Manorbier in Pembrokeshire in being commended for unspoilt beauty, excellent water quality and a high standard of environmental education.

Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration and Tourism, said: “Our award-winning beaches are a real asset for the city and a huge draw for visitors and locals alike.

“Gaining and retaining blue flag status takes a lot of time and investment so locals and visitors can enjoy clean, safe and beautiful beaches all year-round. So we are delighted to once again fly the Blue Flags at some of our most iconic Gower beaches.”

Alongside the Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards, Seaside Awards were given to 15 beaches across Wales, including Aberavon in Neath Port Talbot, Aberystwyth South and North, Penarth and Barry Island’s Whitmore Bay in the Vale of Glamorgan. This is a UK-only beach award available in England, Northern Ireland and Wales, with its distinctive yellow and blue flag signifying a clean, attractive and well-managed coastal stretch, with a good standard of water quality, public facilities, safety provision and management.

The Wales Coast Awards have been managed by Keep Wales Tidy for more than 20 years and signify that a beach or marina meets and maintains the highest environmental standards and achieves tough water quality targets, as well as ensuring high standards of information provision, environmental education, safety, and site management.

The Awards are voluntary and recognise the huge effort of staff and volunteers across Wales who are committed to protecting and preserving our natural landscape in the face of increasingly challenging circumstances.

Owen Derbyshire, Chief Executive of Keep Wales Tidy congratulated Swansea on its award-winning coastal locations.

He said: “Congratulations to Swansea on its Coast Award-winning beaches for 2025. Swansea is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Wales and we’re delighted to see this recognised in the 2025 Wales Coast Awards. Not only are these beautiful beaches to visit, but visitors can. Ow be assured that they are clean, safe and well-managed with excellent facilities too.”

He added: “The Wales Coast Awards are a fantastic celebration of Wales’ beautiful and diverse coastline and are testament to the huge effort of staff and volunteers at sites across Wales. Thank you to everyone who works so hard to protect and preserve our natural landscape in the face of increasingly challenging circumstances.”

#BlueFlag #BraceletBay #CaswellBay #Gower #GreenCoastAwards #KeepWalesTidy #LanglandBay #PortEynon #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil