#Climbing #Gower #SportClimbing #LimestoneClimbing #ClimbingIsMyPassion #TryHard #Onsight
Swansea Council trials smart bin sensors to improve rural waste collection
Swansea Council has begun trialling smart bin sensors in remote communities as part of a pilot scheme aimed at reducing unnecessary journeys and keeping streets cleaner. The sensors, which use low-power wireless technology, alert cleansing staff when bins are full — allowing teams to prioritise locations that need attention and avoid visiting those that don’t.
Cllr Cyril Anderson, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: “The sensors are a win-win all round. For residents there’s less chance of them finding unsightly overflowing bins, and for staff it means their time can be focussed on tackling bin and litter problems where they’re most needed. It’s early days because we’re still piloting the scheme, but it’s looking very promising.”
The system uses LoRaWAN (Low Power Wide Area Network) technology to transmit data from battery-powered sensors, which can last up to eight years. The pilot is focused on rural locations such as Gower and Port Eynon, where bin usage varies significantly depending on weather and seasonal tourism.
Stuart Willingale, Cleansing Strategy Team Leader, said: “Some of our bins are sited in fairly remote locations in places like Gower, which are a considerable distance away from where our staff are based. The data tells us when our Cleansing Teams need to visit a location to empty a bin — or when not to. This saves us time our teams can better use in other locations and tackling other cleansing issues. It also reduces our environmental impact of driving to a location only to be met with an empty bin.”
The pilot is being supported by Welsh Government funding, and early results suggest the system could help reduce fuel use, improve response times, and cut down on overflowing bins — especially in areas with fluctuating visitor numbers.
#binSensors #CllrCyrilAnderson #Gower #IoT #litter #litterBin #LoraWan #PortEynon #sensors #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil
Langland Bay tennis court site may be redeveloped to include new leisure facilities
A stretch of land overlooking Langland Bay, including three under-used tennis courts and a vacant building, may soon be redeveloped to offer new public facilities in one of Swansea’s most popular coastal areas.
The site — located on Alma Road and bordering the Gower National Landscape — sits adjacent to refurbished courts leased to Mumbles Community Council, which are not part of the proposal. Public toilets and shower facilities on the site would need to be retained or replaced as part of any future scheme.
The site of the under-used Langland Bay tennis courts that may be redevelopedSeveral years ago, Swansea Council conducted a public consultation on the site’s potential, with responses pointing to demand for restaurants, tourist accommodation, and improved facilities. While no formal plans have been submitted, land and property consultants Savills are now marketing the land on behalf of the council.
The council has said it would ring-fence proceeds from any long lease arrangement for future reinvestment, and that any proposal would be subject to full planning approval and public input.
Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council cabinet member for investment, regeneration, events and tourism, said: “We want something in keeping with the local environment — so no high-rise developments. The public continually tell us there should be more facilities for them along the seafront.”
The current high-quality Langland Bay tennis courts that that will remainA changing coastline with deep community roots
Langland Bay has long played a central role in Swansea’s leisure economy. In the early 20th century, the former Langland Bay Hotel operated eight grass courts and hosted tournaments that attracted competitors from across the UK. The current tennis courts were once home to junior championships featuring athletes like Andy Murray and JPR Williams — part of a local legacy that has seen renewed interest in recent years, including a refurbishment campaign completed in 2020.
The bay recently retained its Blue Flag status for water quality and environmental excellence, and continues to draw visitors for its café, brasserie, golf club and beach huts. The area also ranks high on Swansea’s property market — a recent report revealed that four of the city’s ten most expensive streets are located in Langland.
Related stories from Swansea Bay News
Four Swansea beaches named among Wales’ best in prestigious Wales Coast Awards
Langland Bay retains its Blue Flag status alongside other key stretches of Swansea coastline.
Swansea’s most and least expensive streets revealed
Langland ranked highly in the city’s top property locations.
The site is now being marketed through Savills, with further details available via: https://www.bit.ly/LBaug25
#AlmaRoad #CllrRobertFrancisDavies #featured #Gower #LanglandBay #LanglandBayTennisCourts #Mumbles #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil
Residents say they’re ‘Pooped Off’ with Gower sewage spills
Local resident, David Haines-Hanham is behind the protest which saw over 70 local residents cover the gates of the treatment works with anti-sewage posters and messages from the local community.
These included slogans such as “I came here to swim, not to marinade in bum broth” and “Welsh Water – No more turd waves”.
A placard at the Bishopston Treatment Works protestMr Haines-Hanham explained: “This started a couple of years ago when I was stand-up paddleboarding with my daughter Maddie. It was a nice day. It hadn’t rained for 24 hours. We were coming back from Caswell to Brandy Cove. The water was about a metre deep and we were enjoying looking at the seaweed and the rocks. All of a sudden where the pipe outfall is the water turns a disgusting brown. The smell is unmistakeable. The filth was horrible. It was unmistakably a sewage slick.
“Next time we were walking along the cliffs just before one of the autumn storms were coming in. It hadn’t rained for two days. We looked over to Brandy Cove. It was high tide and there was an unmistakeable brown patch again with all the black headed gulls having a feast. In my mind it was a sewage slick in preparation for a storm that hadn’t even happened yet.”
Mr Haines-Hanham says he has a clear message for Welsh Water. “You’ve failed to futureproof your infrastructure. Since the UV treatment was brought in, it doesn’t seem to me that you’ve looked to the future. You haven’t looked 20 years time, which is where we are now. You’ve done nothing to prepare for the prevention of pollution incidents.
“I don’t know much about the politics of Welsh Water, but I do know they’ve just asked us as bill payers for more money. I say just use that money – our money – to mend your outdated systems. Put money in the right places to make our sea cleaner.”
Over 70 residents attended the demonstrationMr Haines-Hanham said: “I’ve explained the ‘snowball effect’ to my kids, and their hope is that our small action will encourage and inspire other communities to do similar at treatment works that regularly underperform and allow sewage to be released into the sea.”
Meanwhile Welsh Water say they’re investing £2.5bn on environmental projects over the next 5 years and that some pollution issues are due to surface-water run-off and poorly maintained private septic systems.
A spokesperson for Welsh Water said: “Storm overflows play a vital role in preventing homes being flooded following heavy rain.
“We cannot completely remove storm overflows as it would cost between £9-£14 billion and involve digging up almost every street in Wales.
“We understand there is increased concern about water quality and we are working to improve things with £2.5bn investment on environmental projects in our current investment period (2025-30).
“This comes after we invested £1.4bn in our wastewater system in the decade to 2025, which helped ensure Wales’ amazing coastline is blessed with almost a quarter of the UK’s Blue Flag beaches despite having just 15% of its coastline.
“The latest Bathing Water results for Wales also showed that 98% of the designated bathing waters meet stringent quality standards – with almost 70% meeting the highest ‘Excellent’ water quality standard.
“A number of factors can impact water quality including surface water runoff, misconnections – as we saw recently in a social media video shared of waste on the rocks between Langland and Rotherslade, rural land use and poorly maintained private septic tanks.
“You can get accurate and up-to-date information on spills from our storm overflows on this map.”
In response to Welsh Water’s statement, Mr Haines-Hanham reflected on the launch of regulator OfWat’s pollution enforcement investigation into Welsh Water in July 2024.
A similar investigation into Thames Water resulted in fines of nearly £123m for the company.
He said: “I only speak from the experience of what one family has experienced on one beach. Our experiences were categorically NOT during heavy rain periods.
“I also dispute the claim that the overflow map is accurate having been given conflicting information on the day I spoke to them.
“Have we just been incredibly unlucky/lucky to witness these things or have Welsh Water just been getting away with it unnoticed?
“I’ve a feeling that their increase in investment is a result of the start of this investigation and I would love to see a breakdown of investment from the last 20 years compared to money taken from customers.
“As one sign said on Saturday – ‘You take our money now take some responsibility’ and another one saying ‘They have failed to futureproof infrastructure – use OUR extra money to mend your outdated system’.”
#Bishopston #BrandyCove #Caswell #featured #Gower #pollution #sewage #WelshWater
Fundraiser launched to help rebuild historic Worm’s Head Hotel after devastating fire
The blaze broke out in the early hours of 14 July, severely damaging the property and leaving its roof completely gutted. The hotel has been a central feature of Rhossili since the 1800s, welcoming guests from across the globe with generous hospitality and panoramic views across the Gower coastline.
In a statement shared publicly, Julian Short, hotel owner, said: “It is particularly heartbreaking and soul-destroying for me and my family to see 25 years of hard work destroyed in less than 30 minutes. We will strive to come back stronger.”
As previously reported by Swansea Bay News, fire crews from six stations responded to the incident, tackling flames that had spread rapidly through the accommodation block and roof space. The fire was extinguished by 5.30am, with crews remaining on site to dampen down and investigate the cause, which is not believed to be deliberate.
Now, a GoFundMe fundraiser has been set up by Vanessa Short to help support the family, staff and hotel rebuild. While it is not confirmed whether Vanessa is a member of the Short family, the fundraiser outlines the urgent need for financial aid following the loss.
The fundraiser reads:
“In just a few hours, a lifetime of hard work, dreams and memories were reduced to ash. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but the building has been gutted, the roof totally destroyed, and the family and staff are now facing the heartbreaking task of starting over.”
“Insurance will only cover a fraction of what’s needed to rebuild and the costs are overwhelming. Whether it’s £5 or £500 every donation makes a real difference.”
Funds raised will go directly toward supporting staff — including those who lived on site — as well as emergency expenses and long-term repair costs. The hotel’s future remains uncertain, but community support has already poured in.
Local businesses have joined in sharing messages of solidarity. Nearby café The View Rhossili called the incident “heartbreaking,” while Three Cliffs Bay Holiday Park described the Worm’s Head Hotel as “an iconic Gower business” and pledged their support in helping it reopen.
The Worm’s Head Hotel has long been a beloved institution on the peninsula, not only as a destination for visitors but also a gathering place for local residents. Over the past four years, it has hosted events, supported nearby enterprises and offered countless guests a warm welcome at the edge of the sea.
Donations can be made via the official campaign page: Help Worms Head Family Rebuild
#fire #fundraising #Gower #Rhossili #RhossiliBay #WormsHeadHotel
Worms Head Hotel thanks public for ‘outpouring of emotion’ as fire service confirms blaze was accidental
The owners of the Worms Head Hotel in Rhossili have thanked the public for their “outpouring of emotion” following the fire that severely damaged the building in the early hours of Sunday 14 July.
In a heartfelt update shared on social media, the Short family said they had been “overwhelmed” by the support shown across all platforms, and confirmed they had launched a GoFundMe campaign for those who wish to help the hotel recover.
“We know Rhossili and the hotel have played a part in people’s lives and hold hugely special memories for all,” they wrote. “We intend to raise it from the ashes so it can continue to make memories for you for many years to come.”
The fire, which broke out just before 1am, spread rapidly through the hotel’s accommodation block and destroyed the entire roof space. Crews from six fire stations responded, using water jets, breathing apparatus and thermal imaging equipment to contain the blaze. No casualties were reported, and all occupants were safely accounted for.
Worms Head Hotel after the fireMid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service has now confirmed the cause of the fire was accidental, following an investigation.
The hotel, which dates back to the 1800s, has long been a fixture of the Rhossili community and a popular destination for visitors to the Gower Peninsula. In a previous statement, the owners described the fire as “soul-destroying,” saying:
“It is particularly heartbreaking for me and my family to see 25 years of hard work destroyed in less than 30 minutes.”
The newly launched GoFundMe page, organised by Vanessa Short, aims to help cover emergency living expenses for staff, structural repairs, and the replacement of essential equipment. Insurance is expected to cover only a fraction of the rebuild costs.
The fire has also led to a temporary road closure near the hotel, with Swansea Council confirming that the unnamed road fronting the hotel and National Trust car park will remain closed for up to 21 days for public safety.
Local businesses and residents have rallied around the hotel, sharing memories and messages of support online. Neighbouring venue The View Rhossili described the fire as “heartbreaking,” adding:
“Let’s take care of our neighbours.”
You can donate to the fundraiser at: gofundme.com/f/help-worms-head-family-rebuild-after-devastating-fire
Related stories from Swansea Bay News
Fire severely damages Worms Head Hotel in Rhossili overnight
Published 14 July 2025: Crews from six stations respond to blaze that destroyed roof and accommodation block.
Fundraiser launched to help rebuild historic Worms Head Hotel after devastating fire
Published 15 July 2025: Owners launch GoFundMe to support staff and recovery efforts following the blaze.
#fire #Gower #MidAndWestWalesFireAndRescueService #Rhossili #RhossiliBay #WormsHead #WormsHeadHotel