Gower volunteers’ success in winter-water testing to fight sewage in the sea

Volunteers have taken more than 275 samples across 16 sites on 13 beaches from Loughor, Rhossili, Horton, Pobbles, Pwll Du, as well as a few around Swansea Bay.  The samples are tested for bacteria found in sewage, particularly intestinal enterococci, E. coli and coliforms, which can be harmful to health.

The majority – 94.6% – of the samples provided excellent results. However 5.4% of the tests showed high levels of bacteria – most were associated with wet weather.

Nature Days scientist Dawn Thomas, who has been overseeing the project, says: ‘We are very lucky and proud to say that the majority of beaches around Gower have excellent water quality.’

All of the samples were sent to a pathology lab in Manchester used by Surfers Against Sewage. The Gower Society says the data is needed to help agencies including Natural Resources Wales, Welsh Water, Swansea Council and Welsh Government to target their resources at the worst affected beaches.

The project was started last year by Gower MP Tonia Antoniazzi to address a critical gap in testing, as regular water quality measurements are not typically done during winter. Natural Resources Wales only has the budget to measure between May to October. It has now taken over the testing.

Tonia Antoniazzi MP praised the volunteer team who’ve made it all possible: “I think the community involvement has been magic. Seeing the enthusiasm of our volunteers – especially the school children from Penyrheol and Knelston, the generosity of local businesses and the hard work done by the Gower Society. It’s fantastic. I think this project is a blueprint for the future. I shall be sharing the idea with other coastal MPs.”

The organisers are keen to restart again this winter.

Sarah Samuel from the Gower Society said: “There’s a need to carry this on. We need to keep collecting this data so we can keep our seawater clean.  We have the support of the volunteers we just need more businesses to come forward to help us fund the testing kits.”

The 275 testing kits used so far have been bought for £22 each. They were funded by local organisations including the Gower Society, Nature Days, Surfside Cafe, Penguin Recruitment, Bay Studios, St Mary’s Square Developments, The Morgans Collection and Burrows Caravan Park.

#GowerSociety #Horton #Loughor #PobblesBay #PwllDu #Rhossili #sewage #ToniaAntoniazziMP #waterQuality

Police to crush e-scooters and off-road bikes used anti-socially within 48 hours

Perpetrators of anti-social driving face having their cars, e-scooters or off-road bikes seized and destroyed after 48 hours under stronger powers proposed by the UK Government. Currently, police must wait 14 days before being able to dispose of a vehicle, making it easier for offenders to reclaim their vehicles and with a limited deterrent to repeat offending.

The measures to fast-track the disposal of vehicles comes alongside additional proposals to give police stronger powers to seize any vehicles involved in anti-social behaviour, with officers no longer required to issue a warning before seizing them.

Communities across Swansea have been plagued by people riding offroad bikes in an antisocial way.

Police say they have received an “increase in calls regarding off-road bikes in and around the Loughor and Pontarddulais areas in recent weeks”.

Just last week, Swansea Bay News reported photos taken by a local resident that showed five offroad motorbikes being driven through Loughor, with riders – some of which are wearing balaclavas rather than helmets – pulling wheelies and driving in a dangerous manner.

Residents say this is a “massive problem” and that offroad bikes “ride on pavements, footpaths, play areas and roads and have no regards for their own or others safety.”

Gower MP, Tonia Antoniazzi says she supports the UK Government’s crackdown.

Ms Antioniazzi said: “It’s sad that it’s come to this, but people have the right to feel safe in their streets. If off-road bikes and scooters are being deliberately driven in residential roads to cause a nuisance and intimidate people tough action is needed. I welcome what the government is doing to support the police to tackle antisocial behaviour and prevent reoffending”

South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Emma Wools said: “These new powers send a clear message to would-be offenders and local communities in Wales: swift justice will be delivered and anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated.

“Sales of e-scooters and off-road bikes have rapidly increased, so today is an important step in tackling more serious crime in Wales, with the vehicles often used to facilitate drug dealing, organised acquisitive crime and serious violence.”

#antisocialBehaviour #Loughor #offRoadBikes #PoliceAndCrimeCommissioner #SouthWalesPolice #ToniaAntoniazziMP #UKGovernment

Residents terrified of ‘intimidating’ off-road bikes in Loughor are demanding action

Photos taken by local resident, Robert Neil on Tuesday (20 May) show five offroad motorbikes being driven down Castle Street in Loughor, with riders – some of which are wearing balaclavas rather than helmets – pulling wheelies and driving in a dangerous manner.

A 67-year-old local resident, who didn’t want her name published for fear of reprisals, said: “I was intimidated by these idiots. I had to stop to let a car through and they drove right up to by bumper revving their bikes constantly. I had to pull to the side to get rid of them. They went speeding off four in a line and easily could  have killed or injure someone.”

Local resident Sara Nabialek said: “It is a massive problem. I live in Gorseinon near the cycle paths and we regularly get off road bikes driving around Parc Melyn Mynach where there is a children’s play area, kids in their bikes and lots of dog walkers.

“Yesterday a lady with sight difficulties and a white stick was walking towards the path with her child when an off road bike went shooting from the main road up the path towards the play area.

“I saw three of these lunatics driving from the housing estate by Asda on the roads, Out onto Valeo roads. These are off road bikes so have no tax MOT or insurance.

“Over the years I’ve reported bikes to the police, I’ve raised the issue with our MP twice and still the problem continues and worsens.

“They ride on pavements, footpaths, play areas and roads and have no regards for their own or others safety. They know the police won’t and can’t do anything to stop them so they continue. I fear nothing will change until someone is injured or worse killed by one of these clowns.”

Writing on social media, Megan Johnson said: “The ones with no helmets and balaclavas I’ve seen around Gorseinon before. These and the E scooters on pavements and roads need to be stopped. Speed bumps don’t work with these kids.”

An anonymous poster added: “They were at the estuary foreshore earlier. Riding along the path while people were walking dogs there. A matter of time before someone gets injured.” 

The police have said they have had an increasing number of calls about off-road bikes in the area, and are calling on the public to report sightings so they can respond more effectively.

A spokesperson for South Wales Police said: “We received a report of off-road bikes and/or e-bikes being ridden anti-socially in the area of Castle Street, Loughor, Swansea at around 6.45pm on Tuesday May 20.

“We have had an increase in calls regarding off-road bikes in and around the Loughor and Pontarddulais areas in recent weeks.

“The local Neighbourhood Policing Team are aware of this matter and looking at possible solutions to address the issue. PCSOs have attended the area to reassure the community.

“We encourage reports from members of public so that we can identify patterns and trends to respond more efficiently. If you know the identity of any of the riders involved in this anti-social behaviour, please report it to us via 101, quoting 2500159794.”

#antisocialBehaviour #featured #Gorseinon #Loughor #offRoadBikes #Pontarddulais #SouthWalesPolice

Kingsbridge school visits Downing Street as part of Ukraine twinning scheme

YGG Pontybrenin, in Kingsbridge, Gorseinon is amongst more than 750 schools from across the UK and Ukraine who have applied to take part in the scheme, after Prime Minister Keir Starmer launched the UK-Ukraine 100 Year Partnership in January.

The programme will further cement the unbreakable ties between the two countries, fostering classroom friendships, cultural understanding and inspiring future generations of world leaders, diplomats and business leaders.

Year Six teacher Sophie Dark was thrilled to accompany YGG Pontybrenin pupils to the official launch event at No10 on April 25 – also attended by children from Kyiv School Number 219 which the Prime Minister visited in January.

She said: “It was an incredible, surreal experience. I had to get the kids to pinch me because it was something I hadn’t expected, and to be able to give that opportunity to the students as well is something that I, and certainly they, won’t forget.

“The pupils absolutely loved the tour, but their first impression of 10 Downing Street was meeting Larry the Cat. For myself, it was climbing up those stairs from Love Actually.

“It was just incredible to have a tour, to see the Cabinet Room, and to see where the Second World War ended, but with the future of tomorrow in the room with you. That was a pinch me moment.”

YGG Pontybrenin has been paired with a school in Kryvyi Rih, a city in central Ukraine and Sophie says the children are already finding common bonds despite the horrors of war being inflicted on Ukraine following Russia’s barbaric invasion.

Sophie explained: “We’ve already started the project back in March and we’ve already made contact with the children there.

“For us, with the school we’re linked with in Kryvyi Rih, we’ve been exchanging videos and in those videos we’ve seen sirens go off in the background, so our students have got an understanding of what is going on in Ukraine.

“They also know that they are learning online and they go to school one day a week and they go to school in the church sometimes because the church has a cellar underground, so it is the safest place for them to get together.

“But our students know the children in Kryvyi Rih are safe and they know they are giving those children hope that there is life outside of Ukraine and that there is life outside of the war and the conflict.

“The situation in Ukraine is pretty different to the situation in Wales. However, they’ve seen so many parallels between life here and life there.

“There’s mines and steelworks in Ukraine, they’ve got a national costume, they’ve got a national dance. We did some dancing in Downing Street and it was so similar to the dawnsio gwerin in Wales.

“So, the children can see that they are similar and not everyone is completely different, which was really great.”

Sophie added: “They got an opportunity to write letters and you could really see it was children because they were asking simple questions like ‘What’s your favourite colour?’, ‘Do you prefer cats or dogs?’.

“Hopefully it is a partnership that is going to go on for a hundred years and I just hope it does because we all remember the pen pals we had as children, so you hope that that is going to be the same for them.

“At the moment, we’ve been doing sharing a book together and it is a book about colours. We’ve been learning the words in Ukrainian and they’ve been learning the words not only in English but in Welsh, so it’s a three language project for us, so it is really special.”

Children from YGG Pontybrenin, St Marie’s Catholic Primary School & Nursery, Rugby, Warwickshire,  and English Martyrs Catholic Primary School attended the event hosted by Minister for Europe Stephen Doughty.

The children will also mark the launch of a new commemorative stamp, designed by both the UK and Ukrainian governments, which will be entered into circulation by the Ukrainian postal service Ukrposhta from the end of this month.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “The unbreakable bond between the UK and Ukraine is often best reflected in the friendships formed among our children. These young minds are the architects of our future and security, fostering connections that transcend borders and cultures, and this partnership will deliver brighter futures for children in both countries.

“Our support is not only about providing military assistance, which remains crucial in ensuring Ukraine’s ability to defend itself, but also about standing by Ukraine for generations to come, as it seeks a just and lasting peace.

“That’s why our support matters not only now, but for our future, as all ages stand up for the values we hold dear, which are fundamental to our national security and Plan for Change.”

The schools are being supported through the British Council’s UK-Ukraine School Partnerships programme.

Head of UK Schools at the British Council, Shannon West said: “Creating opportunities for young people has been at the heart of the work of the British Council for the last 90 years.

“We are delighted to be working with so many schools on this programme, which will give young people the international outlook and skills to thrive in our global society and strengthen ties between the UK and Ukraine.”

#10DowningStreet #education #Gorseinon #KierStarmer #Kingsbridge #Loughor #PontybreninPrimarySchool #PrimeMinister #UKGovernment #Ukraine

Local volunteers to be honoured at Eisteddfod yr Urdd after decades of work for the youth organisation

Each year, individuals who have made a special contribution to Wales’ largest youth organisation are honoured by the Urdd. This year, attention turns to West Glamorgan, and four volunteers will be named Honorary Presidents of Eisteddfod yr Urdd 2025 in a special ceremony on the Maes (the festival ground).

The four Honorary Presidents of Eisteddfod yr Urdd Dur a Môr 2025 are Davida Lewis, Janet Jones, Menna Bennett Joynson and Wayne Pedrick.

Llio Maddocks, Director of the Arts, Urdd Gobaith Cymru said: “The four who are being honoured this year have given over 160 years of support to the movement. Volunteers play a vital role in the work and reach of the Urdd, and we’re delighted to recognise the dedication of these particular four volunteers at a special ceremony at the Eisteddfod on Monday, 26 May.”

Davida Lewis

Brought up in Swansea, Davida Lewis has spent her life in the Eisteddfod’s local area. She established two local choirs: ‘Côr Plant Waunarlwydd’ in 1965 and ‘Côr Waunarlwydd’ in 1970. The choirs have had considerable success locally and internationally for 60 years. The choirs still exist, and even though Davida has transferred the reigns to a new conductor, she still enjoys participating as a member. Being awarded the title of Honorary President at the Eisteddfod in her own area will be a crowning achievement, after her wealth of experiences and successes in Eisteddfodau over the decades.

Janet Jones

Brought up in Loughor, Janet has lived in Neath for over 40 years. Music is in her blood and over the years she has competed regularly on stages, winning several major prizes at Eisteddfod yr Urdd and at the National Eisteddfod.

Janet is the conductor of ‘Parti Llwchwr’. She has shared her musical talents by teaching children to sing and perform at Eisteddfodau and numerous events over the years. She established ‘Adran Nedd’ in 1993 to offer cultural and Welsh experiences to the youth of the area. Following the success of the group, she established ‘Uwch Adran Nedd’ to continue to provide experiences to older children.

She has also been an active member of the Neath and Afan Local Committee, as well as Chair of the Regional Committee. Janet is one of the Vice-Chairs of the Executive Committee for this year’s Eisteddfod yr Urdd.

Menna Bennett Joynson

Menna was born in Llanidloes before her family moved to Llanuwchllyn and then to Aberystwyth. She grew up in a musical and cultured household and was familiar with singing and participating in Eisteddfodau from an early age. At Eisteddfod yr Urdd, she has had considerable success in the field of ‘cerdd dant’, while she also coached pupils to sing and compete in her role as a music teacher at Ysgol Rhydfelen.

In 1976 she moved to Swansea with her husband and raised three children locally. Menna established ‘Adran Sgeti’ in 1978 which later developed into ‘Aelwyd yr Urdd Sgeti’. Over the years, they went on to have considerable success at Eisteddfod yr Urdd. Menna was appointed music teacher at Ysgol Gyfun Gŵyr and a peripatetic harp teacher in the area. She talks of her gratitude to the Urdd, adding that all the experiences she and her pupils have had have greatly enriched her life.

Wayne Pedrick

Wayne’s first experience of Eisteddfod yr Urdd was through his children, Lisa and Aled, when they were pupils at Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Gwaun Cae Gurwen and Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera. Both loved to compete, with Aled winning the 2003 Bryn Terfel Scholarship at the Tawe, Neath and Afan Eisteddfod.

Wayne worked at the local coal plant, and in 1998 he got a job as a peripatetic brass teacher. In that role, he encouraged and supported his pupils to compete at Eisteddfod yr Urdd, both as soloists and as an ensemble.

He was appointed Head of the Peripatetic Music Service in Neath Port Talbot in 2016 and helps run three youth and junior orchestras, three youth and junior brass bands and a Youth Choir and Big Band. Wayne also regularly adjudicates instrumental competitions at regional and national Eisteddfodau.

Eisteddfod yr Urdd Dur a Môr will be held at Margam Park between 26 and 31 May. Tickets for Eisteddfod yr Urdd, including for the Triban Festival which will be held on the festival ground, are available at www.urdd.cymru/en/eisteddfod/ 

#choir #Eisteddfod #Loughor #Margam #Music #Neath #Urdd #Waunarlwydd #WelshLanguage

The King and I – Mike’s MBE a reward for volunteer service

Mike has spent the last three decades working within Swansea Bay University Health Board’s estates department, with the variety of the job ensuring no shift is the same.

Working within the maintenance team, Mike’s to-do list can include anything from unclogging drains and building new departments to removing inches of water from corridors following a leak and coming to the aid of staff who have lost keys.

Once his shift is over in Morriston Hospital, he’s on emergency duty himself in his role as a volunteer for Loughor Inshore Lifeboat – a position he’s held for almost 45 years, and has led to royal recognition and meeting King Charles.

Fair to say that Mike has crammed a lot into his role as he approaches his 60th birthday.

Mike said: “It’s a really interesting job and I find that no day is the same in terms of what I do.

“There’s never a dull moment because we have such a big estate and there’s always a service that needs our help.”

Reflecting on his 31 years with Swansea Bay Health Board, memories quickly come flooding back of some unexpected calls for the team’s expertise.

Mike said: “A few years ago we had a big water leak outside Ward A and B in Morriston’s main corridor. I was walking up the corridor and saw tiles getting damp and they started dropping.

“A water pipe had burst and there were two inches of hot water in the corridor, so we had to stop patients and visitors entering that area and I was brushing the water outside as quickly as I could.

“We also had a fire in Morriston’s main entrance 20 or so years ago. There was an electrical problem in the porters’ lodge near the shop and the public were still trying to get in there despite the fire – so we had to act really quickly to sort that out before bringing it back to what it was before.”

Highlights of Mike’s health board career so far include helping build the Coronary Care Unit in Morriston and knowing his role – despite not being clinical – is an important part of the health board’s ability to deliver care.

One particular job, though, stands out.

“When the Covid pandemic happened, it was really challenging,” Mike explained.

 “I was called to the Intensive Therapy Unit to help set up the wards as it had spread to Wales.

“I remember coming out after completing the work and not thinking anything of it. I caught Covid and I was extremely ill!

“Like it was for most people, that time was really tough but we were really determined to do what we could to ensure clinical staff were best prepared to give the care that patients needed.”

Once he’s clocked off in Morriston Hospital, Mike’s mind quickly switches to saving people in trouble within the Loughor Estuary.

He may not even make the journey home to Llanelli before he is called out to a “shout” to launch from Loughor Boating Club.

The volunteer role is something that has been engrained in him since he was a teenager.

Mike added: “I have been with the lifeboat since I was 15 and I went out on my first call at that age. I was on the boat all night and did my paper round that morning before going to school. 

“It’s been a big part of my life and I’ve loved doing it because you know you are going out to save lives, in some cases, and that has a massive impact on that person and their family and friends.”

His service to the community did not go unrecognised, with Mike named in the New Year’s Honours List in 2022.

Due to Covid, he wouldn’t meet the Queen as King Charles was coronated by the time his MBE was finally awarded in Windsor Castle in 2023.

It was not the first time he had met the King.

Mike said: “As part of Swansea’s 50-year anniversary as a city, I was invited to an event where the King was attending. He was very approachable and full of knowledge – he even said “alright Mike, how’s the lifeboat going?’ Someone must have given him my background!

“Then I met him again when I received the MBE, which was such a proud moment.

“Some of my colleagues call me sir now, but they don’t always curtsy!”

(Lead image: Swansea Bay NHS)

#HMKingCharlesIII #Loughor #LoughorInshoreLifeboat #MBE #MorristonHospital #SwanseaBayNHS

Managed to walk under 6 miles completing three Slow Ways today. Feels like a bit of a record - are there other locations this close together? #Gorseinon #Gowerton #Loughor #SlowWays

King Arthur’s stone on #Gŵyr. The 25-ton capstone sits on top of Cefyn Bryn Common. Legend has it that while travelling in #Carmarthenshire #KingArthur removed a stone from his shoe and threw it across the #Loughor Estuary. By the time it reached its final resting point at #CefnBryn the stone had become an enormous boulder. #SilentSunday #StandingStoneSunday #Cymru #Myths #Gower