PORTHCAWL
Send Your News To: 42 Suffolk Place, Porthcawl, CF36 3EB. 01656 451844 davidn-w@homecall.co.uk
Porthcawl Townswomen’s Guild Newsletter: A rather worrying time for the Guild but they are still carrying on with their meetings at this time although times may change if self isolation of over 70s comes in to force as so many of the members come into that age bracket. The last meeting earlier this month was the AGM, but before the start of the AGM there was a presentation from Porthcawl National Coastwatch Institution. Members were able to see how the £500 which the Guild had raised at the Christmas Fayre was being used. The Porthcawl branch of the NC!I opened four years ago and since then they have had many cameras installed round local coast spots: so members were able to see on video many of th e incidents with which they had been involved.
At the AGM reports of last year’s activities were given before new officers were introduced. The new chairman is Helen Taylor and vice-chairman is Janet Anderson. The retiring President Judith Orphan was thanked and given flowers, and the new President is
Jean Dorrington. This is an honorary position awarded to someone who has given good service to the Guild and this is certainly well deserved by Jean!
The next meeting hopefully will be on Wednesday, April 8 at 2pm in All Saints Church Hall when Ceri Joseph will be talking about the The Titanic. Ceri is always a popular speaker so why not go along and listen to her. Remember that all are welcome. More information can be obtained from Dorothy Thomas on 01656 772157.
National Coastwatch Institution - Porthcawl: During February the Porthcawl Branch of the NCI dealt with two logged incidents, monitored a further 15 and logged a total of 228 vessels. Recently they extended their Spring watchkeeping hours until 1830hrs and so far during March they have already dealt with three incidents over one weekend. These included windsurfers in difficulty and concerns for a person in potential danger.
Following the winter storms, a large number of PVC pipe coils have been washed up along the coastline both here and further afield, having been lost from a shipping container at sea. The watch-keepers are extremely grateful to all the members of the public who contacted the Branch with details of sightings of the pipe coils and the Branch is e working closely with HM Coastguard, the harbourmaster and the supplier to effect a prompt and safe recovery. Although this unexpected situation is something different for the officers to monitor, their position along the coastline and their local knowledge allows them to be of great assistance in the whole process. The Officers have a duty of care to safeguard the coastline and to protect wildlife wherever possible.
They enjoy a close working relationship with watch-keepers from Worms Head NCI and have started joint watches with colleagues there, further cementing a close working relationship between the stations and giving them the opportunity to learn how other stations operate. (Based on notes from
Nick Weedon Media Officer, Porthcawl NCI)
Porthcawl Community Singers: Please note that the two events organized by the Porthcawl Community Singers viz, the Samantha B Fashion show on Friday, March 27 in Porthcawl YMCA John St. and the evening of Reflective Music for Holy Week on the Monday, April 6 in All Saints Church Porthcawl have both had to be cancelled because of the risks posed by coronavirus.
Reduced Carbon
Footprint: Porthcawl based charity, Sustainable Wales, contracted by Renew Wales www. renewwales.org.uk, is able to offer free support to reduce your group’s carbon footprint. The support is tailored to your particular circumstance and project activity.
The idea is to help groups respond to the climate change emergency. Are your activities and projects environmentally and people friendly? Do you need help to develop new