The past month has once again been a busy period across the village, with residents raising a wide range of concerns including the new road layout, fly tipping, potholes, housing matters, Welsh Water issues, and many other day-to-day community matters. I am grateful to everyone who has taken the time to get in touch, as this helps ensure issues are identified and addressed promptly.

It is disappointing to report several incidents of fly tipping during the month. One case involved an old mattress, pillows, linen, and bags of waste being dumped on Devonshire Drive near the recycling centre at Crane Cross. It is possible this occurred due to individuals being unaware of the booking requirements at the site. I raised this matter with Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC), requesting that CCTV be reviewed where possible and that the waste be removed promptly to prevent further incidents.

A second case involved five bags of waste being left just off Fan Road near a residential driveway. This was particularly frustrating, especially as it had reportedly been there for several weeks before being brought to my attention. Both incidents resulted in unnecessary use of staff time and public resources, although I am pleased they were addressed following engagement with PCC.

Potholes continue to be a concern for residents. However, I am pleased to report that a comprehensive programme of resurfacing works is currently being undertaken on Fan Road. This work has been ongoing for several weeks and includes raising drains, cutting back damaged sections, and resurfacing properly rather than relying on temporary patching. This should provide a far more durable and long-term solution.

I have also requested that a similar standard of work be considered at two further locations. The first is outside Saundersfoot School on Frances Lane, where repeated patching has failed to resolve significant potholes at both ends of the road. The second is on Sandy Hill Road at the junction with Moreton Road, where heavy traffic levels continue to cause deterioration despite previous repairs.

Blocked drains also remain an ongoing issue in parts of the village. In particular, I have raised concerns regarding the lower end of Westfield Road, where a build-up of leaves at the narrow corner towards Hopshill Lane is creating a hazard. During wet weather this area becomes extremely slippery, and I have requested on behalf of residents that a road sweeper be deployed there.

At this time of year, cockle picking activity at Saundersfoot Glen Beach increases significantly. Unfortunately, this has again led to issues with vehicles obstructing driveways and restricting access for residents. I have asked PCC enforcement teams to monitor the situation to help ensure access is maintained. I have also followed up on previous discussions with residents and Councillor Cormack regarding longer-term plans for the Glen. I have been advised that work is ongoing, and I hope proposals will be brought forward for consultation with Glen residents in due course.

I have also received reports, including photographic evidence, of vehicles parking directly on the new central pedestrian crossing within the village. This is clearly unacceptable as it obstructs visibility and prevents safe access for pedestrians. I have raised this matter with PCC and requested both enforcement and increased awareness around the issue.

Concerns have also been raised regarding access to Monkstone Beach at Trevayne, where steps were lost during storms over three years ago. I have contacted the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority (PCNPA) for an update, and they have confirmed that the footpath to the beach remains unsafe due to instability on the slope. This position has not changed following geological surveys commissioned by the Authority, and the path therefore remains closed.

PCNPA have advised that signage and barriers continue to be maintained at the site, and a reminder has recently been issued on social media reiterating the closure. Please be assured that work on this matter remains ongoing, and updates will be shared as soon as they become available. Monkstone is a highly valued and well-used beach between Saundersfoot and Tenby, enjoyed by both residents and visitors alike. Improved access in the future would greatly benefit the community and help ensure this beautiful and unspoilt part of our coastline can once again be safely enjoyed by all.

Residents on Stammers Road have also raised concerns regarding pavement access. After investigating a number of issues with the current arrangements, I contacted both the business owner and PCC. I am pleased to report that this was positively received by both parties and that the concerns raised have now been resolved.

Regarding the ongoing discussion around speed limits on Broadfield Hill entering Saundersfoot, I can confirm that the proposed changes from 20mph to 30mph have currently been withdrawn pending further discussions. The New Hedges and Saundersfoot area will now be reviewed again following additional engagement with elected members, and any revised proposals will be brought forward in due course.

Pavement parking remains a persistent issue throughout parts of the village. Councillor Cormack and I will be undertaking a walk-through of key areas alongside PCSO officers to review concerns raised by residents. This is particularly important for those with mobility difficulties, as blocked dropped kerbs can prevent access for wheelchair users, families with pushchairs, and others. While improvements have been made in some locations, there remain areas outside the recent works that still require attention to ensure accessibility for all.

I also attended a constructive meeting with local business owners and PCC Highways officers regarding access and proposed active travel links on Stammers Road. This was a positive discussion which allowed concerns to be properly understood and considered within future plans. It is hoped that updated proposals can be shared with immediate residents, businesses, and the wider community in due course, and I will continue to provide updates as discussions progress.

Further concerns raised during the month included broken glass on the Fan Road footpath, believed to have been caused by a vehicle, along with mud and stones washing onto the path. I inspected the area personally and passed these concerns on to PCC.

Additionally, reports of dog fouling in this area are extremely concerning. During a recent visit, I personally observed multiple instances along a short stretch of the path. This is unacceptable. These routes are used by walkers, families, and individuals using mobility aids, and it is the responsibility of dog owners to ensure they clean up after their pets. We must all play our part in keeping our shared spaces clean and safe for everyone.

During April, I also undertook my monthly litter pick on Fan Road alongside Ray and John from Saundersfoot Rotary, where we collected four full bags of litter. This formed part of the wider village clean-up initiative organised by Sam from Ecoast.

I have also assisted residents who experienced missed waste and recycling collections. In some cases this was due to blocked access, while in others, particularly garden waste collections, the matter was resolved following communication with PCC.

A further safety concern raised involved a road sign near Saundersfoot School by the Whitlow Estate which had been turned away from view. This sign provides important information regarding oncoming traffic and right of way, and I have reported this to ensure it is repositioned correctly.

Over recent weeks, contractors have also been working within the village, mainly during night-time hours to minimise disruption to residents and businesses. This work has included replacing broken paving slabs on Cambrian Terrace, removing temporary tarmac repairs, and fitting new paving slabs to better match the appearance of the village centre.

Finally, it has been some time since councillors last met with Saundersfoot Surgery. I have made contact to explore availability for a meeting in early June and, once a date is confirmed, I will share this with residents. If there are specific concerns or issues residents would like raised, I would welcome that feedback. It is important that we maintain strong communication with the surgery to ensure local healthcare concerns continue to be heard and addressed.

Over recent weeks, a number of concerns have been raised with me regarding the current local lettings policy and how it is being applied in Saundersfoot.

I want to be clear that I do not believe Ateb have deviated from their stated policy. However, I do question whether the policy, both in its design and application, reflects what residents of Saundersfoot, and indeed the Community Council, would reasonably have expected from a development within the village.

The recent social housing development was widely supported on the understanding that it would directly benefit the local community. Developments of this nature, particularly on greenfield sites, are generally supported where there is a clear and meaningful benefit to local people. In Saundersfoot, the expectation was that these homes would support local residents, especially those priced out of the area, those living with extended families in the village, as well as those wishing to return. I do not believe this expectation has been fully met.

Saundersfoot faces ongoing challenges, including a significant decline in school numbers over the past 12 years, placing pressure on the long-term sustainability of the local school. New housing developments were seen as an opportunity to support young families and strengthen the community. My support for such developments, alongside others considered at PCNPA, was based on a clear understanding that there would be a strong emphasis on prioritising individuals and families with genuine and well-established local connections.

My concern is not with the principle of the policy, but with whether it is delivering its intended outcomes in practice. From what I have observed, the outcomes in Saundersfoot do not reflect the more targeted approaches seen in other parts of the county, including Dinas, Eglwyswrw, Hook, and Johnston. In those areas, housing associations and the local authority have worked closely with their communities to implement more robust, locally focused lettings policies.

For example, developments delivered by West Wales Housing Association in Dinas and Eglwyswrw demonstrate what can be achieved through strong engagement and clearly defined criteria. These have prioritised applicants with strong local ties, supported by factors such as long-term residency, electoral registration, permanent local employment, children attending local schools, and close family connections. The results are clear, with strengthened communities and increased pupil numbers in local schools.

By contrast, the Ateb policy applied in Saundersfoot allows for a broader interpretation of “local connection.” Criteria relating to residency, employment, and schooling cover a wider geographic area, which in practice widens eligibility. For example, employment of just 16 hours per week for 12 months, or two years’ residency within a wider area, may qualify. Taken together, this risks diluting the focus on Saundersfoot itself and helps explain why many residents feel the policy is not working in their favour.

This is not about questioning the needs of those allocated homes, but about whether the policy is achieving its intended purpose. At present, it is difficult to conclude that it is operating as an effective local lettings policy for Saundersfoot.

These developments were supported to help sustain the village, support younger generations, and protect key services such as the local school. However, Saundersfoot continues to face pressures around housing affordability, second homes, and limited availability for local people. Without targeted intervention, there is a risk to the long-term sustainability and identity of the community.

I must be candid in saying that my understanding of how the Ateb policy would operate locally has not been reflected in practice. With 19 social housing properties delivered, the first development of this scale in many decades, it is disappointing that this opportunity does not appear to have been maximised for local residents. It is concerning that, with 11 of the new properties now occupied and the remaining 8 units designated as one-bedroom accommodation, there has been no corresponding increase in pupil numbers at Saundersfoot School. Following discussions with the Chair of Governors regarding recent admissions, it appears unlikely that this development will contribute to future school growth under the current allocation approach. This is extremely disappointing, particularly given the importance of sustaining and strengthening our local school and wider community.

Looking ahead, there is an opportunity to strengthen future approaches. I recently attended a meeting organised by Saundersfoot Community Council and Pembrokeshire County Council’s housing team, where local residents were able to contribute to shaping future policy, particularly in relation to the Sandyhill Road site.

Since then, I have organised a meeting with the Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, the Head of Housing, and the Cabinet Member for Housing to raise these concerns. I have since called for clearer and more robust criteria, including stronger weighting for local school attendance at Saundersfoot, longer residency requirements of up to 7 years, clearer expectations around permanent local employment, and greater emphasis on close family connections.

Following these discussions, the housing team has engaged with housing partners across the county, who have expressed support for a more consistent and collaborative approach. There is also ongoing discussion around the role of planning authorities in setting local lettings criteria as part of planning conditions, as has been done successfully in other areas.

I will continue to work closely with Pembrokeshire County Council and Saundersfoot Community Council to ensure future policies better reflect local needs. With further developments planned, including 21 additional properties in Saundersfoot, it is essential that we take this opportunity to ensure a more robust and effective approach.

If strong local connections are not meaningfully prioritised, the purpose of a “local lettings policy” risks being undermined. It is vital that future developments genuinely support village life and provide fair opportunities for local people.

At present, I do not believe this has been fully achieved, and it is important that this is addressed.

In my previous monthly report, I highlighted the introduction of the new road layout through the village, which was implemented at the end of March, and the importance of allowing time for these changes to bed in. Since then, I have continued to engage closely with residents and local businesses, listening carefully to their experiences, observations, and concerns.

I would like to sincerely thank all residents who have taken the time to contact me. Your feedback is extremely valuable and plays a crucial role in ensuring that experiences of our community are properly represented. I can only comment on those who contact me and make representations to PCC.  However, one consistent concern continues to be raised regarding the standalone parking bay located outside Labels for Less on Brewery Terrace.

Through both direct feedback and my own regular observations, it is clear that this bay can restrict visibility, particularly when larger vehicles are parked there. This can lead to hesitation among motorists and has a direct impact on the smooth flow of traffic. During busier periods, vehicles can build up in both directions, creating congestion and uncertainty for drivers navigating past this point. This is especially evident near the pedestrian crossing, for vehicles exiting Cambrian Terrace, and around the harbour car park entrance. The cumulative effect is not only frustration for road users but also a genuine concern in relation to safety, visibility, and accessibility. I fully recognise that retaining parking provision was a key consideration during the original consultation process, and significant efforts were made to preserve as many spaces as possible from the consultation. However, the experience of the past seven weeks suggests that this particular bay may be creating unintended issues. The strength and consistency of feedback from residents clearly indicate that this issue now requires careful and considered review.

I have formally raised these concerns with the relevant departments, including Traffic Enforcement, Highways, and the Senior Traffic & Road Safety Engineer, and a meeting is planned to discuss this in detail. I want to be clear that I will be pushing this matter forward as this is what residents have clearly communicated.

I have been advised that any permanent change would require a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO), which involves a formal statutory process, including consultation and defined timescales. There would also need to be an appropriate period of observation before any amendments could be progressed. This is standard procedure and ensures that any decisions are evidence-based and thoroughly assessed. It is also important to note that any proposed changes would need to align with the Council’s existing programme of committed work. In the meantime, the scheme will be subject to a Stage 4 Road Safety Audit. This is a critical part of the process, assessing how the layout is performing under real-world conditions, including driver behaviour, traffic flow, and any emerging safety risks. The concerns raised in relation to this parking bay will form part of that assessment.

A Stage 4 Road Safety Audit is the post-opening monitoring phase of the formal audit process. Unlike earlier stages, it is evidence-led and based on actual operational and collision data once the scheme is in use and will review the scheme in its entirety.

Following the audit, PCC will be in a much stronger position to determine whether any changes are recommended and what the next steps may be.

In the meantime, I welcome further feedback from RESIDENTS so that I can continue to ensure all concerns are captured and communicated to the appropriate departments. I do have a meeting planned in May and will continue to work with PCC on this, I fully appreciate that we have to follow procedures and gather information, however, I will pushing for this bay to be removed as quickly as possible due to the overwhelming feedback and from observations. Having also discussed with a senior traffic enforcement officer, it’s clear that this observation is also supported.   Residents can be assured that all feedback, whether shared directly with me or with the Council, has been logged and is actively informing both the ongoing review and the safety audit.

It is also important to recognise the positive elements of the scheme that have been made ,  new road surface, better pedestrian experience, reduced speeds, as well as additional parking spaces on Brewery Terrace.  The introduction of dual-use loading bays has been particularly well received by residents and the wider community. There has been significant support for this, as it not only improves accessibility and convenience for residents, but also provides valuable support for local businesses.

Importantly, the bays are designed to maximise efficiency and public benefit throughout the day. After 10:00am each day, the loading restrictions cease and the bays convert to general-use parking, delivering at least five additional parking spaces for residents and visitors. This flexible arrangement helps to balance the needs of local businesses with wider parking demand, while making more effective use of limited kerbside space.

Furthermore, increased awareness of parking within Saundersfoot Harbour, including three disabled spaces and five free 30-minute bays, has further improved accessibility and ease of access within the village.

Following previous concerns regarding pavement widths, crossing points, accessibility, and vehicle speeds, a report has now been prepared by the Highways team.

The introduction of speed indicators has already had a positive effect, with a noticeable reduction in vehicle speeds, although there are still occasions where excessive speeds occur. I am currently arranging a meeting with the Highways team to review the findings in detail and to explore what further improvements can be delivered.

Ridgeway remains a key route within the village, and I am committed to ensuring it benefits from the same level of attention as other recent infrastructure improvements across Saundersfoot. I will continue to listen to residents regarding the Ridgeway and work with councillor Cormack to look at solutions that prioritise safety on the road or the pavements.

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Recently, I have been approached by individuals, community groups, and organisations who regularly use the sauna facility in Saundersfoot, or who recognise the wider benefits it brings. This follows initial dialogue between the PCNPA, Saundersfoot Harbour and business owner with an indication that they plan to refuse further planning permission, relating to the current planning application NP/26/0145/FUL. It is important to note that the previous application in 2024 (NP/024/0155/FUL) was granted a two-year licence to allow the impact of the structure to be assessed, particularly in relation to access and flood risk. During this period, the sauna has operated without issue or concern, and there have been no significant problems reported. I supported the original application, recognising the potential long-term benefits to the village. At that time, I made clear that my only concern related to access, which was fully addressed and justified. With the current application recommended for refusal, I have declared a personal and prejudicial interest. However, I have exercised my right as a member of the planning committee to call the application in, so that it can be considered by the full committee. While I will not be able to vote, this process allows for a more transparent discussion and provides the applicant with an opportunity to address the concerns raised by officers. It is important to note that the committee can only consider the application as it currently stands. In my view, the sauna has been an outstanding success story for Saundersfoot. It has supported a local family business, created part-time employment, and contributed positively to the local economy. Importantly, it has become a year-round attraction, drawing visitors to the village even outside the traditional tourist season. This increased footfall benefits other local businesses, including cafés, shops, and accommodation providers. Beyond its economic contribution, the sauna offers significant wellbeing benefits. Regular sauna use is widely associated with improved circulation, relaxation, stress reduction, and enhanced recovery. When combined with cold water swimming, it provides a powerful contrast therapy experience that can boost mood, resilience, and overall mental health. The opportunity to engage in outdoor wellbeing activities, particularly in a coastal setting of Saundersfoot Harbour encourages people to connect with the outdoors, which is increasingly recognised as vital for both physical and psychological health. The facility has also introduced many individuals to cold water swimming for the first time, fostering a sense of community and shared experience. Even during the darkest winter months, it is encouraging to see people actively engaging with the seafront, supporting both their own wellbeing and the vibrancy of the village. This is a busy and well-used business, and over the past two years, those involved have worked extremely hard to establish a sustainable and responsible operation. It fills a unique gap in Saundersfoot’s offer and enhances the village’s reputation as a forward-thinking, wellness-focused destination. Furthermore, the sauna has received national recognition, winning a prestigious award as the best sauna in Wales, and has attracted positive media attention. This further strengthens Saundersfoot’s profile as a destination for both tourism and wellbeing. Overall, I believe this facility represents a valuable asset to the community, economically, socially, and in terms of public health, and I welcome the opportunity for it to be fully considered by the planning committee.

The small, hardworking team of Love Saundersfoot volunteers continue to be delighted by the reaction to the new group from residents, visitors and businesses, the support from the Community is overwhelming. Membership continues to grow, with the Love Saundersfoot social media platforms now consistently achieving over 1,300,000 audience views every month. 

The creative promotion team has been reinforced by the addition of Maria Goddard. Maria is a passionate supporter of the group and has thrown herself completely into the role. Three favourite Saundersfoot events are now well into the planning stages: Big Bang will return (along with Little Bang) on 31st October as the main attraction of the Halloween weekend. Working closely with Saundersfoot Community Council, Saundersfoot Rotary Club and Saundersfoot C.P. school, the Christmas Coastal extravaganza of the Elf Run, Santa Lantern Parade and the Christmas tree switch on will be held on Saturday 21st November.

Working with the Saundersfoot Harbour Team, the much anticipated New Years Eve firework display will be held once again on the harbour, it’s hard to believe that before the Millenium celebration, there was no Saundersfoot public firework display to welcome in the New Year.  For further updates and all Love Saundersfoot and other Village events remember to visit the website www.lovesaundersfoot.co.uk or follow the group on Facebook.

We are pleased to highlight a number of upcoming Welsh Rowing events that we are hoping to host in Saundersfoot this year, further strengthening the village’s reputation as a destination for coastal sport and activity. The first of these is a Beach Sprint Training Camp, scheduled for 9th–10th May, which is expected to welcome approximately 20 athletes. This event will provide an excellent opportunity for competitors to develop their skills in this exciting and growing discipline, while also making use of Saundersfoot’s outstanding coastal environment. This will be followed by the Welsh Rowing Coastal Championship on 20th June. Building on the success of last year’s event, which attracted over 150 participants, we are hopeful of seeing even greater attendance this year. Events of this scale not only showcase the sport but also bring significant benefits to the local community, supporting tourism and local businesses. We are very much looking forward to returning to Saundersfoot and continuing to build on the success of previous events in the area. These events play an important role in promoting active lifestyles, community engagement, and the unique appeal of our coastline.

Saundersfoot Harbour would like to thank everyone who supported and attended Rock the Deck 2026 over the bank holiday weekend.  Your enthusiasm, energy and community spirit played a huge part in making the event such a success. It was fantastic to see so many people coming together, locals and visitors, enjoying the bands. Events like this simply wouldn’t be possible without the support of the community.

Thank you, once again,  for making Rock the Deck such a special weekend. Saundersfoot Harbour are truly grateful for your support.

Over the past few months, I have received a number of reports from residents regarding water leaks and burst pipes across the village. I would strongly encourage all residents to report any such issues directly to Welsh Water, as this ensures they are logged, tracked, and prioritised appropriately. During the last month, there was a significant incident on Fan Road involving a burst pipe, which required a temporary road closure while repairs were carried out. I appreciate that this caused disruption, but it was necessary to ensure the issue was resolved safely.

More recently, I have raised two further issues alongside residents. One of these was a leak at the lower end of Incline Way, on the pedestrian approach into the village. This unfortunately developed into a more serious problem, resulting in water supply being cut off to the lower part of the village. This had a direct impact on local businesses, some of which were forced to close temporarily while the situation was addressed. There have also been reports from residents regarding a leak in the Glen area, which led to restricted access. I understand this was reported directly to Welsh Water by those affected. In addition, there is an ongoing issue at the top end of Westfield Road, where a leak has been present since November.

Over this period, I have observed multiple site visits, with areas being marked up for attention, only for those markings to fade and be replaced again at a later date. Despite these visits, the leak remains unresolved some six months on, which is understandably a source of frustration for residents. I am hopeful that the most recent markings, indicating that the issue has been formally reported, will lead to prompt action. Thank you to those residents who have taken the time to report these issues.

Recently, the New Year’s Day Swim Committee met at Saundersfoot Sailing Club to present cheques totalling over £31,000 to local organisations and charities. This figure represents only a fraction of what has already been raised from the 2026 event, with additional donations paid directly to charities and online fundraising platforms, sponsorship, and individual contributions.

The success of the New Year’s Day Swim is a true reflection of the incredible community spirit within Saundersfoot and the wider area. The event has grown into far more than just a festive dip,  it is now one of the most important community-led charity events in Wales and proudly remains the largest festive dip in the United Kingdom.

What makes the event so special is the remarkable level of support and buy-in from all corners of the community. From local businesses and sponsors, to volunteers, marshals, safety teams, committee members, local organisations, and residents, everyone plays a vital role in ensuring the event can take place safely and successfully each year. Without this collective effort and commitment, the event simply would not be possible.

The swim continues to bring people together, generate significant funding for worthy causes, and showcase Saundersfoot at its very best. I will provide a full update in my next report, highlighting all of the beneficiaries and the wider positive impact generated by the 2026 event.

Annual Celebration

Hurrah for the RNLI that, at 200 years old has moved with the times.  Whilst all strictly above board, we ‘pivoted’ on 18th April from a long AGM to an Annual Celebration. Around 30 Volunteers and +1s were available to join in on a fun evening at the Sailing Club celebrating Saundersfoot RNLI’s achievements in 2025, catch up with friends and have a good few drinks and eats. Thank you as always to our wonderful Volunteers .

Upcoming Events in May

April is a busy month in our Branch calendar as we prepare for events….and there are four big ones in May

3rd May – The Mayday Mile (aka a Mile in May)

Hoping for better weather than 2025, we’ll be out in the village and outside Catch on the Harbour once more, encouraging people to walk ½ a mile and back along Glen Beach (Doggies are invited, naturally) – all in aid of the RNLI.  With Stormy doing his usual thing around the village and a Prize Draw, all we need now is low winds and no rain

Donations on the Slipway or at the Registration Tent on the Harbour will enter the Donor into the Prize Draw for the brand-new RNLI Lifeguard Celebration Beach Bag.

12th May – RNLI Pop up Shop on the Decking – starting up

We’re grateful to the Harbour for the invitation. Starting 12th May, and then every Tuesday through May, we’ll have a Pop-up shop on the decking along with all the Vendors there for the Tuesday Market.  Please drop by and say hello for a gift or just a chat

From 16th May – The Saundersfoot Yellow Welly Trail Launch is back!

Yes! – The Saundersfoot RNLI Yellow Welly Trail is back!. A trail similar (but different) to last year’s Trail around the village (about 1.2 miles in all). There’s a new Mystery name to unearth and a new Monthly Prize in the Draw at the end of May, June, July & August. Fun for kids of ALL ages

And from feedback last year, we’ve added a more challenging Trail alongside the Yellow Welly Trail for those wanting something a bit more difficult.  Same locations but with two more ‘secret locations at the end. The Lifeguard Challenge Trail is celebrating the RNLI Lifeguards’ 25-year Anniversary) and will require QR code scanning to find fun facts about the Lifeguards.

For a donation in the RNLI Shop, participants will receive an Entry Booklet for both Trails and there’ll be a Prize Draw for the Lifeguard Challenge Trail as well (at the end of August). And, as last year, we’re looking forward to creating another heart-warming 2026 Happy Board.

 24th May – Brew with a View

For the Sunday in half term, and coinciding with Coppet Week, we’ll have Coffee, Tea, Juices and Homemade Cakes at great prices…both sit in and Takeaway at the Sailing Club.  Accompanied, this year by Jane’s awesome BIG Jigsaw Sale, free Yellow Welly Trail Entries,music and plenty of Fun, we’ll be doing it all, as usual, to raise funds that will Save Lives at Sea.

Sam from Ecoast recently organised a fantastic day of community action and cooperation in April, bringing together volunteers from Saundersfoot Rotary, the Saundersfoot Wombles, Saundersfoot CC, local residents, and visitors. With the added bonus of good weather, the event was once again a great success. In total, an impressive 90kg of litter was collected, of which 40kg was recyclable, highlighting both the scale of the effort and the positive environmental impact made by the community.

To ensure as many people as possible could take part, volunteers were organised into teams covering different areas of the village at staggered times. An early team covered Ridgeway, Fan Road, Fountain Head, and down to St Issell’s. Encouragingly, this stretch showed a reduction in litter compared to previous collections, with just four bags collected, weighing 8kg, including 0.55kg of recyclable material. Another early group covered St Issell’s Church, Errox Hill, Ivy Chimney Lane, Sardis, Hean Castle Estate, and down to Coppet Hall, collecting a total of 6kg of waste.

Valley Road was also included, with 6.25kg gathered along that route. Disappointingly, litter levels around Saundersfoot Sports Field and the surrounding area, with a dedicated Saundersfoot Womble working independently, collected 2.65kg of litter, including approximately 1kg of plastic sports drink bottles. At 10:30am, an organised beach clean saw 15 volunteers come together to clear Saundersfoot’s main beach, back beach, and Coppet Hall beach. This effort resulted in 10.1kg of waste being collected, with 0.5kg suitable for recycling. Adding to the community spirit, two visiting families from Clevedon enthusiastically collected a further 1.1kg of plastic and even created a beach art rainbow alongside a Womble, an inspiring and creative contribution. After the morning’s efforts, refreshments were kindly provided by Mel at Saundersfoot Sailing Club, offering a well-earned break for volunteers. Meanwhile, two Wombles made the journey to Monkstone Beach with a trolley, collecting a remarkable 56.6kg of waste.

Of this, 38.15kg will be recycled, including rope, netting, plastic bottles, and even a lobster pot. Although an attempt to recover a second pot was unsuccessful, it has been noted for a future clean. Sam would like to extend sincere thanks to everyone who gave their time and energy to support such a successful day. Events like this truly demonstrate the strength of community spirit in Saundersfoot and the shared commitment to protecting and preserving our beautiful village.