Carmarthenshire beach among world's best in awards

Cefn Sidan, near Burry Port, was one of 49 beaches across Wales to receive the globally recognised Blue Flag Award.
The award, given by Wales' leading environmental charity Keep Wales Tidy, is a symbol of quality and plays a vital role in protecting the marine environment.
Cefn Sidan, an eight-mile sandy beach within Pembrey Country Park, was the first Welsh beach to receive the Blue Flag Award when it was introduced in 1988.
The beach has now won the accolade 38 times, more than any other Welsh beach.
Carmarthenshire County Council's cabinet member for regeneration, leisure, culture, and tourism, Cllr Hazel Evans, said: "I am delighted that Cefn Sidan beach has retained its Blue Flag status.
"This recognition not only reinforces our commitment to protecting Carmarthenshire's coastal environment but also ensures that residents and visitors alike can continue to enjoy a world-class, picturesque, and unique beach experience.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank the hardworking team at Pembrey County Park for working hard to preserve one of Carmarthenshire's greatest beaches."
The Blue Flag is one of the world's most recognised awards for beaches, marinas, and tourism boats, recognising high standards of water quality, amenities, sustainable tourism development, information provision, environmental education, safety, access, and site management.
Owen Derbyshire, chief executive of Keep Wales Tidy, congratulated Carmarthenshire on continuing to ensure Cefn Sidan is one of Wales' best coastal locations.
He said: "Congratulations once again to Cefn Sidan on retaining its Blue Flag Award status.
"It's great to see that Wales' very first Blue Flag Award winner continues to be not only a beautiful place to visit, but one that visitors know is clean, safe, and well-managed with excellent facilities too."

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Wales Online

3 hours ago

• Wales Online

Race Across the World stars Sioned and Fin share relationship update after almost calling it quits

Race Across the World stars Sioned and Fin share relationship update after almost calling it quits The winners of this year's Race Across the World were announced last week, with mother-and-son duo Caroline and Tom Bridge taking home the £20,000 prize Last week, viewers of Race Across the World were gripped as the finale revealed this year's winning team. Although they didn't start strong, Caroline and Tom Bridge turned their fates around, ultimately seizing the £20,000 jackpot. Hot on their heels, only 19 minutes later, were siblings Elizabeth and Letitia, with the pair Sioned and Fin coming next, and brothers Brian and Melvyn coming in fourth. Audiences have been witness to all the pairs being pushed to their limits throughout the races, with Sioned and Fin, the youngest duo, finding aspects of the journey particularly difficult. ‌ In the upcoming reunion show, the Welsh couple will share updates on their relationship and recount their experiences from the race, reports Plymouth Live. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter ‌ Race Across the World's Fin and Sioned share relationship update as they detail 'challenge' (Image: BBC ) Sioned explained to viewers of the BBC: "I think there were many times in India where I thought, 'I can't do this, I need to go home, not want to but I need to because this is too much'." But she expressed her relief, saying, "But, I'm really glad I just stuck it out because experiencing it has been really valuable." Article continues below During a discussion with fellow racers, the now 20-year-old shared how the challenge had fostered personal growth. She said: "It's built us as people. It's tough doing something like this in a relationship, but I do think it made us stronger." Fin responded: "It was a good way to see if we can do it forever, or this isn't for us, let's split up. But that wasn't the case, we are still together, and we're going well. I think that was a big challenge and the best challenge we could've had together." ‌ While Sioned and Fin may not have triumphed in the series, viewers were happy to see the mother-son duo take the win. TITLE:Race Across the World S5,EP NUMBER:8,TX DATE:11-06-2025,TX WEEK:23,EMBARGOED UNTIL:11-06-2025 22:01:01,PEOPLE:Tom and Caroline,DESCRIPTION:Embargoed until post TX8 22.01:01 Wednesday 11th June 2025.,COPYRIGHT:Studio Lambert,CREDIT LINE:BBC/Studio Lambert Caroline expressed her joy about the victory: "It feels absolutely amazing, I'm so sad it's come to the end, that is the worst bit about it. We've enjoyed being with everybody, but my God, this race has meant so much. Article continues below "We've learnt so much, we've enjoyed it, and to actually win it as well as to have the experience is the best thing that could have happened to us." Tom said of the experience: "Doing the experience in itself is winning, but to actually get to that book first, open it, and see that it was empty was something that I'll remember for the rest of my life."

Daily Record

6 hours ago

• Daily Record

BBC Race Across the World Sioned and Fin share relationship update after 'challenging' time

Race Across the World stars Sioned and Fin were the youngest contestants on this year's series and they struggled through some parts of the show as a couple Race Across the World came to a nailbiting finish last week as the winners of this year's series were crowned. Mother and son duo Caroline and Tom Bridge came out on top, beating the other three teams and taking home the £20,000 prize. Despite a slow beginning and almost being knocked out of the competition before Yin and Gaz were sent packing, their luck changed as the race went on and they were the first ones to open that book at the final checkpoint in Kanyakumari, India. Hot on their heels were sisters Elizabeth and Letitia, who finished just 19 minutes behind them in second place on the BBC show. ‌ They were followed by young couple Sioned and Fin and finally, by brothers Brian and Melvyn who had secured a strong lead in the race but fell behind in the final two legs. Throughout the race, viewers saw each duo have their limits tested to the max, with teenage couple, Sioned and Fin, who were the youngest on the race, finding certain legs of the race very challenging. ‌ In this week's Race Across the World reunion episode, the Welsh couple gave an update on their relationship status now as they detailed their time on the show, Plymouth Live reports. Sioned said: "I think there were many times in India where I thought, 'I can't do this, I need to go home, not want to but I need to because this is too much'. "But, I'm really glad I just stuck it out because experiencing it has been really valuable." While at the table with the other contestants from the series, the now 20 year old said that taking part in the show has built her character. ‌ She said: "It's built us as people. It's tough doing something like this in a relationship, but I do think it made us stronger." Fin added: "It was a good way to see if we can do it forever, or this isn't for us, let's split up. But that wasn't the case, we are still together, and we're going well. I think that was a big challenge and the best challenge we could've had together." Although Sioned and Fin didn't win the show, fans were pleased to see the mother and son duo come in first place. ‌ Speaking about their win, mum Caroline said: "It feels absolutely amazing, I'm so sad it's come to the end, that is the worst bit about it. We've enjoyed being with everybody, but my God, this race has meant so much. "We've learnt so much, we've enjoyed it, and to actually win it as well as to have the experience is the best thing that could have happened to us. Tom, 21, added: "Doing the experience in itself is winning, but to actually get to that book first, open it, and see that it was empty was something that I'll remember for the rest of my life."

Leader Live

11 hours ago

• Leader Live

Smoking ban introduced on three North Wales beaches

Cared for by National Trust Cymru, the beaches are part of a new scheme launched in partnership with ASH Wales aimed at protect wildlife, nature, and public health. The 'smoke-free' zones were introduced on June 19 to mark National Clean Air Day and include Porth Dafarch and Cemlyn on Anglesey, as well as Porthor on the Llŷn Peninsula in Gwynedd. The shores of Porth Dafarch, Anglesey, North Wales (Image: National Trust Images/John Miller) Dewi Davies, project manager for National Trust Cymru in North Wales, said: "We are delighted to partner with ASH Wales Cymru on this initiative which will benefit both people and nature. "All three locations we've chosen as voluntary smoke-free zones have been selected because they are environmentally significant. "We work hard to look after these special places and are requesting that people who visit these beautiful locations help us to care for them by not smoking and disposing of harmful smoking materials which could pose a risk to these special habitats and the wildlife that lives in them, or spark a wildfire. "As a conservation charity, people and nature are at the heart of everything we do, and we all have a role to play in helping to protect our natural environment for future generations to enjoy." Cemlyn, Anglesey (Image: National Trust Images/Paul Harris) The scheme aims to reduce cigarette litter, which poses a threat to marine environments and wildlife. Cigarette butts break down into microplastics and release toxic chemicals into the water, and discarded smoking materials can also pose a wildfire risk. The beaches were chosen for their environmental importance. Porth Dafarch, on Holy Island, is home to a colony of choughs, the rarest member of the crow family, as well as seals and porpoises. Cemlyn supports one of the UK's largest colonies of Sandwich terns, with around 1,500 pairs, and is part of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a National Nature Reserve. Porthor, known for its 'whistling sands,' is a haven for birds and marine life, including choughs, razorbills, guillemots, and seals. Notice boards have been placed at each site to inform visitors of the scheme. Suzanne Cass, chief executive of ASH Wales, said: "Smoke-free spaces are not only popular—they're essential for protecting our wildlife, natural landscapes, and future generations. "Expanding smoke-free outdoor spaces sends a clear message: smoking is not the norm - people, wildlife and the planet come first." According to National Trust Cymru, public opinion shows 'strong support' for the scheme, with 56 per cent of Welsh adults supporting a smoking ban on beaches. In Anglesey, support for the ban rises to 87 per cent. The launch was marked with a beach clean at Porth Dafarch, involving pupils from Kingsland Primary School on June 19.