Column in the Barry & District News by Rt Hon Alun Cairns MP:
At the weekend, as I ran the Barry Island Parkrun, it was excellent to see Whitmore Bay filled with hundreds of people for the Nipper Carnival organised by Llantwit Major Surf Lifesaving Club. The event looked fantastic, with a range of activities and competitions and I pay tribute to everyone involved in making it such a success.
The children taking part are gaining vital skills, which will help to ensure that they can enjoy the coast safely over the summer. Readers will be aware of the challenges that Barry Coastguard faces at this time of year, with increased visits to places like Whitmore Bay. So I’m really encouraged by ongoing initiatives and training that gives young people the skills they need to stay safe at sea.
With the huge numbers in attendance it was clear that the event really brought the community together. I saw that the Nipper Carnival received support through a donation from local business Tarmac Cement in Aberthaw, who I visited recently. I’m pleased that companies like Tarmac are engaging with our community in Barry and the Vale, supporting positive initiatives like this.
I also note the organisers efforts for the event to be ‘plastic free’, highlighting the new drinking water filling station that has been installed on Barry Island.
Looking ahead to this coming weekend, I’m looking forward to attending Armed Forces Day on Saturday 29th June, hosted by South Wales Aviation Museum. This occasion offers the opportunity to show our appreciation for the incredible work carried out by our brave service men and women and veterans.
I’ve had the great pleasure of working closely with the Royal British Legion (RBL), in particular the Barry Branch, over the years and I recognise the incredible service that they provide to our Armed Forces. With this in mind, over the course of this week leading up to Armed Forces Day, I have been posting information on my Facebook page about the services available through the RBL that people may not be aware of. If you would like to learn more about who is eligible for RBL support and different ways they can help, visit my Facebook page: @AlunCairns
